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In honor of retired Shawnee Fire Chief Jimmy Gibson, a tone over fire communication radios Thursday afternoon thanked him for his 23 years of service as a crowd gathered at Shawnee city hall to wish him well.
During the formal ceremony, Interim Chief Dru Tischer thanked Gibson for his years of service to the city, which included being chief from 2007 until his last day Dec. 31, 2011. During Gibson’s 12 years of being fire marshal, he was a “progressive advocate for fire prevention,” Tischer said.
While chief for four years, Gibson faced many unique situations, Tischer said, but while at the helm, led the department through budgets that resulted in increases for training and new turn-out gear for firefighters. He also, during his time as chief, saw a 25 percent change in staff, mostly because of retirements, and hired 12 new firefighters.
Tischer presented Gibson with the traditional red fire department hat for retirees, as well as a jacket. A special plaque, with the fire department’s logo, also was presented to Gibson before the crowd that included many city employees and police officers, current and retired firefighters, as well as Gibson’s family.
He was humbled.
“What an honor — it means so very much to see all you here,” he said, thanking his family, including his wife and two daughters, for their support.
He also thanked his longtime fire department secretary, Clarice Brock and Tischer, adding that he had no doubt in selecting Tischer as his deputy chief. He acknowledged the firefighters — both the retirees and the on-and off-duty firefighters — and said the department is about them and the work they all do for the citizens.
“What an amazing ride it’s been,” Gibson said. “I couldn’t be more proud to have been associated with the best department in this country.”
“At at the end of the day, it’s all about relationships,” he added.
And it’s likely the camaraderie amongst firefighters is one of the things he’ll miss most.
In honor of retired Shawnee Fire Chief Jimmy Gibson, a tone over fire communication radios Thursday afternoon thanked him for his 23 years of service as a crowd gathered at Shawnee city hall to wish him well.
During the formal ceremony, Interim Chief Dru Tischer thanked Gibson for his years of service to the city, which included being chief from 2007 until his last day Dec. 31, 2011. During Gibson’s 12 years of being fire marshal, he was a “progressive advocate for fire prevention,” Tischer said.
While chief for four years, Gibson faced many unique situations, Tischer said, but while at the helm, led the department through budgets that resulted in increases for training and new turn-out gear for firefighters. He also, during his time as chief, saw a 25 percent change in staff, mostly because of retirements, and hired 12 new firefighters.
Tischer presented Gibson with the traditional red fire department hat for retirees, as well as a jacket. A special plaque, with the fire department’s logo, also was presented to Gibson before the crowd that included many city employees and police officers, current and retired firefighters, as well as Gibson’s family.
He was humbled.
“What an honor — it means so very much to see all you here,” he said, thanking his family, including his wife and two daughters, for their support.
He also thanked his longtime fire department secretary, Clarice Brock and Tischer, adding that he had no doubt in selecting Tischer as his deputy chief. He acknowledged the firefighters — both the retirees and the on-and off-duty firefighters — and said the department is about them and the work they all do for the citizens.
“What an amazing ride it’s been,” Gibson said. “I couldn’t be more proud to have been associated with the best department in this country.”
“At at the end of the day, it’s all about relationships,” he added.
And it’s likely the camaraderie amongst firefighters is one of the things he’ll miss most.
