Dennis Schneider (pictured on the right), who served as Hamersville Fire Chief for 56 years and retired this year, is congratulated by guests during his retirement party held March 4. Photo By Wade Linville
Served on fire department for 62 years
Dennis Schneider has retired as the Hamersville Fire Chief after serving as chief for the past 56 years. He has served with the Hamersville Fire Department 62 years in total. A retirement party was held for Schneider on March 4. Photo by Wade Linville
Dennis Schneider has retired as the Hamersville Fire Chief after serving as chief for the past 56 years.
After 56 years as Hamersville Fire Department chief and 62 years of service on the fire department, Dennis Schneider has retired as fire chief.
A retirement party was held for Schneider on Saturday, March 4 at the Hamersville Fire House with a large crowd in attendance.
When asked what he’s enjoyed most about his many years of service with the Hamersville Fire Department, Schneider said it’s getting the opportunity to serve with the firefighters, as well as being able to help others.
Schneider was the youngest fire department chief in Ohio when taking over as the Hamersville Fire Chief in 1967.
In 1975, he started the Hamersville Life Squad.
Over the decades, he’s witnessed many changes with the Hamersville Fire Department.
“I had a Jeep and a tanker that had a fender ripped off,” Schneider said of the Hamersville Fire Department in the 1960s. The fire department was then in a much smaller building and operated off a budget of only around $1,500 a year.
The Hamersville Fire Department moved to a new building in 1967. Today, Hamersville has 11 vehicles between the fire department and EMS, growing significantly with Schneider as chief.
Many firefighters and friends in attendance shared stories of Schneider during Saturday’s retirement party.
“A person once told me that leaders aren’t made, they’re born. Apparently, you were born to lead,” longtime Higginsport Fire Chief Rob Starrett said to Schneider during Saturday’s retirement party.
“Leaders are often apparent long before they earn the title, and that’s what you’ve done over here,” Starrett continued.
For the Schneider family, serving on the Hamersville Fire Department has become a family tradition.
Most members of his family have served with the fire department, including all of his sons at some time or another and his daughters. Schneider said he has 10 children in total.
“It’s been very rewarding to me, to save lives and save property,” Schneider said of his service on the Hamersville Fire Department and life squad.
Although he is retiring as the Hamersville Fire Chief, Schneider said he will continue to run his feed mill and serve as a township trustee.