JANUARY 2021 Safety Forces OF CHARDON A Common Heart... Uncommon Devotion 1 Table of Contents As the president of the Chardon Area Letter from the Author 4 Chamber of Commerce I am so very pleased and proud to be involved with Ode to a Volunteer Firefighter 6 this project. The Chamber’s mission statement includes these words: Gone but not Forgotten 8 “The purpose of the Chardon Area Chamber of Commerce is to promote, History of Large Fires in Chardon 14 protect and serve the general business interests of the City of Chardon and Building a Family Legacy 20 the surrounding area.” And while we History of Chardon EMS 24 may do that, this magazine is dedicated to some real heroes - the people and Chief Larry Gaspar, the Heart to Succeed 26 departments that risk their very own safety to protect and serve our citizens. The Night Watch 32 I hope you enjoy these stories but more Chardon’s First Police Chief Leaves a Lasting Legacy 34 importantly, I hope you appreciate the people they are about. I’d like to say History of Chardon Police Department 38 thank you to each and every dedicated frontline worker and all those involved Daring to Make a Difference 44 in the safety community for your lifelong devotion and service to our Q&A with Police Chief Scott Niehus 46 community. Celebrating & Sustaining 48 Sincerely, Committed to Protect and Serve 50 Cover Photo: Little Pond Graphic Productions. Other Photo Credits: Bob Painter; Chardon Fire Department Archives; Chardon Police Department Archives; Hummel, Jonovich and Marks families; Little Pond Graphic Productions; Lowel Stofan; Marilyn Whipkey, Rose Nemunaitis; Catherine Peters The Geauga Maple Leaf; The News Herald President, Chardon Area Chamber of Commerce Editors: Stacia Clawson, Rose Nemunaitis Graphic Design: Little Pond Graphic Productions © Copyright Chardon Chamber of Commerce 2021 Printed in USA 2 33 Dear Readers, Thanks for flipping to this page and picking up a copy of this magazine saluting “A Common Heart…Uncommon Devotion.” It’s an absolute pleasure to be able to share in words and photos some highlights of the past and present of Chardon Fire and Police departments. As a local feature writer whose personal mission is to highlight amazing people in our world and share their inspiring stories, this project evolved from learning about the rich history of Chardon safety forces and a desire to highlight the special people involved. Chardon Chamber of Commerce stepped up to help make my vision become a reality, as well as all of the advertisers and a tribute magazine was born. A special thank you is extended to Executive Director Stacia Clawson. I am forever grateful for your kindness, trust and positivity. To readers, I hope you enjoy the memories and may you be reminded of the dedication made by these fine men and women who continue to make Chardon To our first responders... such a very special place to live, visit and raise a family. It’s been an absolute pleasure orchestrating this endeavor. I wish everyone a happy and healthy 2021. Thank You for your Service! Love & Blessings, CHARDON SMILE CENTER www.chardonsmilecenter.com Dr. Christopher R. Phillips & Dr. Brian Titus ~ 220 Cherry Ave. • 440-286-2474 Dr. Nick Slezak ~ 100 Parker Court • 440-285-8211 Rose Nemunaitis Now offering an IN-OFFICE SAVINGS PROGRAM. Call for details. Safety Forces of Chardon, Writer & Co-Editor Bulk Material And Landscape Supplies to our First Responders! Landscape & Design Services Thank You We join you in Amish Made Poly Furniture proudly serving our Chardon community Mapledale Farm INC. PURE LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES MAPLE SYRUPS RUP Gift Card Gift Cards & Pure Maple Syrup Are Available! Free Local Delivery With 3 Yard Min. Curbside Pick Up Mapledale Farm INC. LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES Now Available! 775 South Street Chardon, OH 44024 9763 Old State Road • Chardon, Ohio 44024 Call Us Today! Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 440.286.3389 Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. mapledalelandscaping.com SKILLED NURSING · REHABILITATION · LONG TERM CARE 4 5 Ode to the Volunteer Firefighter By Dale Wedge, Former volunteer firefighter, police officer and Geauga County Emergency Services Director TH EN , NOW, AND Thursday night was training night as well as social night. You learned by lis- “ There is tening to those that served before you. nothing like You learned at the fire scene. You stood LOOK IN G FORWA RD on the back of the fire truck in full gear being a volunteer holding the rail as someone would yell, firefighter.” “Bend your knees. There is a railroad track coming up.” You missed dates. You ruined clothes. THANK YOU TO OUR CHARDON Sometimes you even ended up in the hospital as your mom was home, lis- tening to her scanner and wondering if FIRST RESPONDERS you were the one that was hurt. And on three occasions, I was. All this for $1 dollar per hour to It was a different time. cover your workers’ compensation and FROM It was a volunteering time. hospitalization. But it was worth it. There It was a bonding of men time. was no better time in my life. And I’d like to do it again, but only longer and And also a painful time. with the maturity of those that I looked But, it was “our time.” up to. I’ve gone to many funerals of my be- We honor those that came before us loved past members. As I approach their and mentored us as we gave back to the pictures and casket I recall all of the fire community that we loved. In some cas- scenes that I was proud to be a part of es, through mutual aid, we assisted our with them. I drop to a knee after saluting fellow communities to save a life and put and just say, “Thank you. You have no out a fire. We even laid next to a fallen idea how much you enriched my life and citizen as he or she was dying, contem- my memories.” plating the hurt of the family and loved ones, but knowing we had done the best that we could. The fire department was made most- THANK YOU, ly of business men and a few invited members after months of attending meetings with no recognition until the “secret” vote came from the member- ship as to whether you were in or not. And yes, there was always that one neg- first responders ative vote. Bankers, TV repairmen, pharmacists, elected officials, Illuminating Company workers, postal employees and those of a younger age looked up to these men, hoping for that yes vote. Mine came in 1978 after dogging the Volunteer Firefighters Ken & Art Temple membership through months of work at meetings, hoping that I would be accept- For now we will continue to ride the ed. And the vote came. All yes and one back of the fire truck together, with si- no. It was expected. rens sounding, always on a quest to I was given the number 21, recently help. Just help. We shall share that eter- the city of chardon and residents retired by Hiram Covell, an employee of nal Thursday night training night and talk thank you for your service the City of Chardon. of the old, the new and the future. 6 7 Bob Painter in his restoration garage Bob and Nora Painter driving the 1928 Prospect Deluge Master Fire Engine To say Bob Painter has a penchant for The main reason he became in- history may just be an understatement. terested in the history of CFD was It takes one look inside his expansive because of the town’s historic fires garage housing some of the Chardon and the importance of the department Fire Department’s early apparatus and to the community. “When serving as listening to the rattling of his history-book president of the Fire Corporation, I be- knowledge to know he is hooked on its came interested in the condition of our history. first motorized pumper (1928 Prospect Born in Cleveland, Painter grew up Fire Engine) CCFE (Chardon Community in Chester Township. “As an elemen- Fire Engine),” Painter said. tary student we would visit the Burton History Museum (Geauga County His- torical Society) and that is where I saw the first view of the Chardon apparatus that was kept there,” he said. “I have enjoyed old and new things for as far back as I can remember. Saving history Chardon Fire Dept. Historian Bob Painter means saving the heart and souls of the county. Meaningful history lives in a lot of After graduating from college he the older fellas.” became a mental health recreational therapist for a day treatment program. Gone but On a whim one day he stopped by the Doyle County Fire Department, drawn by its old unique design. “The next thing Not Forgotten I knew I had boots, coat and helmet,” he Fire Department Historian said. Thus began a loyal devotion to the Restored 1928 Prospect Deluge Master Fire Engine on Display fire safety services. Helps Past Live On In 1972 he started working part-time A decision was made to bring the Since then the department has come Prospect Deluge Master Fire Fighter a long way, Painter said. “Chardon Fire By Rose Nemunaitis as a paid call fireman for the Tulare County California Fire Department and Engine back to life. The project started in has always been a proactive fire depart- also with the Porterville City Fire Depart- 1984 and took until 1994 to finish. ment with progressive training within ment.