Two Bloomington Fire Department Firefighters to Retire After More Than 35 Years of Service

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 11, 2015

For more information, please contact:

Todd Easton, Fire Chief, City of Bloomington Fire Department, 812.332.5645

Alexa Lopez, Communications Director, City of Bloomington Office of the Mayor, 812.349.3406

Two Bloomington Fire Department Firefighters to Retire After More Than 35 Years of Service

Bloomington, Ind. - Bloomington firefighters Fred Matthews and Mark Webb will be retiring from the Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) after more than 30 years of service on Feb. 16, the day before 115th year anniversary of the Bloomington Fire Department.

Matthews, retiring from his position as captain for 19 years, has been at the BFD for a total of 35 years since May 14, 1979. Webb will be retiring after a total of 36 years with BFD, 17 years of which he spent as battalion chief.

Matthews said, "You can't beat the public service and that satisfaction and gratification you get when you know that you have helped someone. People look to you for your help and support. You truly do help people, which is the most satisfying thing."

Webb added, "this position has allowed me to provide well for my family over the years. It is an honorable profession, and I would not have done anything else. I am proud to have been a part of this profession."

The two firefighters have worked together for over 30 years. Matthews and Webb both recall the Zeta Beta Theta fraternity house fire in 1984, during IU's Homecoming. The two entered different doors to search for a person missing in the fire. Though it was Matthews first fire, he found the young man and evacuated him safely.

The Bloomington Fire Department also has undergone many changes over the years. Matthews said that technology and fire science are the biggest changes.

"You used to never have an air pack on when you went into a fire. Now you don't go in without one," said Matthews.

Webb agreed that technology was a major change, as well the growing emphasis on education and safety. Webb added, "When you first came on, you did not wear breathing masks. Gear wasn't as protective as it is now, and there was not a whole lot of organization or fire command. Before, we had rubber gloves in fires. Now, we have leather gloves."

Both Matthews and Webb spent most of their years at the main Bloomington Fire Department Headquarters and worked for four mayors and seven fire chiefs. They spent one third of their time at the department, working the Fourth of July, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

Webb stated, "When you get to the state of our careers, the extra benefit and satisfaction we have is that we have seen a lot and done a lot. We get new hires in and watch them get an achievement, which is also satisfying. It is about taking your experiences and helping someone else."

Chief Todd Easton added, "I wish Fred and Mark all the best with their retirement and future plans, but it comes with a great loss to the department. It's difficult to replace 71 years of combined service, with the majority of that time holding positions as ranking officers. During this time, both have had numerous BFD members promoted throughout the years who served under their command, so even though they are both 'retired,' their knowledge and leadership qualities still remain."

Feb. 17 is the 115th anniversary for the Bloomington Fire Department. For more information on BFD, contact the fire deparment at 812.332.5645 or visit [BFD's website|/about-the-bfd].

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