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Volume 52, No. 10
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CHESTERLAND NEWS Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Your Community Newspaper Since 1967
Chester Fire Dept. Makes History
INSIDE THIS EDITION
Chief Swears in Six Full-Time Firefighters By Rose Nemunaitis editor@geaugamapleleaf.com If you are someone who believes the power of a vote doesn’t count, Chester Township firefighters could say otherwise. “Quite a special event and a very special night for all of us,” said Fire Chief John Wargelin Sept. 24 of the swearing in of six new firefighters. “Lately, we don’t always get to hear a lot of good news. So, it’s really nice tonight we can have this exceptional event where we do this great thing of swearing in these guys.” Township voters passed a new five-year, 2.75-mill fire levy in May 2019 — the first new fire levy passed in the last 17 years — helping the fire department make history as it swore in six full-time firefighter/ paramedics last Thursday. “It’s truly a positive gathering and one each of you guys should be proud of,” Wargelin said during the outdoor ceremony at the township fire station on Parkside Drive. “This represents a change in our fire department moving from an all part-time department to a partially staffed full-time combination staff.” Newly-sworn-in firefighter/paramedics included Eon Osborne, Martin Neary, Austin Georskey, Connor Bachmann, Mike Fulton and Frank Virant. “I am extremely proud of them and happy for them,” said Wargelin, a member of the department since 1988 and chief since 2006. “The hiring process is very thorough and
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ROSE NEMUNAITIS/KMG
Six full-time firefighters are sworn in Sept. 24 during an outdoor ceremony at the Chester Township Fire Department, as trustees, family, friends and other well-wishers attend. From left, are Martin Neary, Austin Georskey, Frank Virant, Mike Fulton, Connor Bachmann and Eon Osborne.
time consuming. They have worked hard to transition into their new positions here. They are working well with our staff of part-time personnel. “Transition can be challenging, especially when you are trying to do it during a pandemic,” the chief added. “However, they have done everything asked of them.” Osborne started 24 years ago as a volunteer firefighter. “He has been a great member of the department,” Wargelin said. “A firefighter has to have a will to want to serve others. They must be a caring and compassionate person. People call us in the worse moments and we have to respond quickly and make the situation better. “Our personnel are our greatest asset,” he continued. “No matter how much equipment, shiny fire trucks or rescue squads you have, it still takes highly skilled and ded-
icated personnel to be successful. We are fortunate to have some of the best (part-time and now fulltime) firefighters and EMS providers working here.” Virant settled his mind on a firefighting career while a junior at Geneva High School. “I didn’t want to go to college or have a job that I did the same thing every day and I’ve always loved helping people,” Virant said. “Yes, I would say I’m living the dream.” The fanfare of the ceremony meant a lot to him. “I was currently full-time at Ashtabula Fire Department before Chester and did not have a swearin ceremony,” Virant said. “It has been a rough year for everybody, especially on my wife and myself. I was laid off in May because of COVID-19 and my city didn’t have the money, so to be able to find Chester was great. This was a great part of 2020.”
At age 28, Fulton shadowed at Kirtland Fire Department on a whim between jobs. Prior to that, he proved his dedication to service by serving in both AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps. “Since then, it’s been an easy decision and strong drive to pursue all things firefighter,” Fulton said. “Tonight’s ceremony was a great gesture of kindness from the Chester community. It also symbolizes all the hard work every full-timer has put into this career thus far. Pretty much, with the climate of everything going on, it’s a pleasant departure from the doom and gloom.” Martin Neary’s daughter, Moira, smiled as soon as she spotted her dad walk out on the lawn last week. “I’m super proud his dream finally came true,” Moira said, alongside her brother, Phineas — both students at Lindsey Elementary See Firefighters • Page 4
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