SILVER WATER—As far as he is concerned, Doug Wismer has served his time as fire chief for longer than most.
“I am getting too old for this business—there is just too much responsibility as fire chief,” stated Mr. Wismer, fire chief of the Robinson Township Volunteer Fire Department. He has announced his retirement as of July 7, 2024.
By July of next year Mr. Wismer will have turned 77 years old. “Not many fire chiefs continue beyond the age of 55, most are retired a lot earlier than that.”
Mr. Wismer took over the duties of fire chief after the retirement of long-time fire chief Arthur Addison who retired at the age of 80, eight years ago.
At the time of his pending retirement, “I will have been with the (Robinson) fire department for 44 years,” said Mr. Wismer. “This also marks the start of the fire department, on June 1, 1980.”
“There is only one other person left from the original fire department that is still active, Ken Duncanson being the other person,” continued Mr. Wismer. “I know a lot of firefighters have gone through since the fire department started. When I think back it is amazing to think of all the people that have been firefighters.”
“Yes, I will remain as a firefighter on the department after I retire as fire chief,” said Mr. Wismer. “It is a hassle dealing with record keeping and keeping everyone going in the same direction. If you can herd cats and sheep, you can be a fire chief,” he quipped.
“I have enjoyed being a fire chief and a firefighter,” said Mr. Wismer. He has seen many changes in firefighting over the years, “mostly in terms of the training requirements. It has really increased over the years and the paperwork we have to do now is crazy.”
“We have really had to adapt to the changes over the years and we have, and we have had a lot of great people volunteer on the fire department over the years. And I have a really good deputy fire chief (Tim McKinlay), who is the best we have ever had for helping find sources to find better equipment (for the fire department),” added Mr. Wismer.
