On the first Sunday in October, hundreds of firefighters gather near the intersection of Marconi Avenue and Broad Street. United they stand in front of the monument that bears the eternal flame that burns to honor them – the men and women of the Columbus Division of Fire who have answered their last alarm.
The 2015 Columbus Division of Fire Firefighter Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, October 4, 2015, 25 Marconi Blvd. at1:30pm. The ceremony is a service tradition where uniformed firefighters stand at attention as the historic brass bell is tolled to acknowledge the men and women who have committed their lives to the residents of Columbus.
“It is a time to remember, reminisce and honor our first responders,” said City of Columbus Division of Fire Chief Kevin O’Connor.
“This is a demanding profession and the core values that define who we are extend beyond active duty. On this day, we come together to remember and reflect,” he continued.
This year, the Division lost 18 firefighters including three active members and a retired fire chief.
Donald Werner, Jr, served as fire chief from February 1984 to May 1991. Werner passed away on February 22, 2015. The active duty firefighters were Alonzo King, Jr., dates of service: July 1985 to October 2014, departed: October 20, 2014; Brandin O’Keefe, dates of service: December 2012 to December 2014, departed: December 26, 2014; and Herman Tidwell, dates of service: July 1992 to July 2015, departed: July 27, 2015.
This ceremony also marks the beginning of National Fire Prevention Week, October 4-10, 2015, designed to bring attention to the loss of life and property by fire.
In Memoriam
September 2, 2014 – September 1, 2015
Honoring our members who have answered their last fire alarm.
Paul Baier
Lieutenant
Dates of service: 3/62 to 1/86
Departed: 7/11/2015
James Brobst
Firefighter
Dates of service: 4/57 to 1/84
Departed: 3/06/2015
John Callahan
Firefighter
Dates of service: 9/55 to 1/81
Departed: 4/19/2015
Richard Glasspoole
Firefighter
Dates of service: 7/70 to 1/96
Departed: 8/28/2015
Paul Goss
Lieutenant
Dates of service: 3/50 to 1/78
Departed: 5/18/2015
Carl A. Harris
Lieutenant
Dates of service: 4/58 to 5/83
Departed: 2/25/2014
Stephen Heughebart
Firefighter
Dates of service: 1/71 to 2/95
Departed: 4/5/2014
Dave Karr
Firefighter
Dates of service: 4/82 to 5/06
Departed: 8/16/2015
Alonzo King, Jr.
Firefighter
Dates of service: 7/85 to 10/14
Departed: 10/20/2014
William Kuskowski
Captain
Dates of service: 11/63 to 10/71
Departed: 3/11/2014
Brandin O’Keefe
Firefighter
Dates of service: 12/12 to 12/14
Departed: 12/26/14
James Russell
Firefighter
Dates of service: 1/48 to 1/77
Departed: 04/22/2015
Michael Sharpe
Firefighter
Dates of service: 3/73 to 6/00
Departed: 11/10/2014
Robert Shivley
Captain
Dates of service: 4/51 to 5/82
Departed: 9/7/2014
Robert Slupe
Firefighter
Dates of service: 9/58 to 5/86
Departed: 3/17/2015
Herman Tidwell
Firefighter
Dates of service: 7/92 to 7/2015
Departed: 7/27/2015
Carl Townsley
Lieutenant
Dates of service: 4/51 to 6/84
Departed: 2/15/2015
Donald Werner, Jr.
Fire Chief
Dates of Service: 6/53-5/91
Fire Chief: 2/84-5/91
Departed: 2/22/15
