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40-year chief Stoolman stepping down July 1
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · June 18, 2008
On July 1, West Branch Fire Chief Dick Stoolman will take off the helmet he has worn for 40 years and hand it to his son Kevin as he officially steps down as fire chief.
However, he won’t be hanging up the suspenders entirely as he shifts to the role of fire administrator in what he plans to be a four-year transition in his retirement from public service.
Kevin Stoolman, who has 30 years with the fire department and is its most active member, is his father’s ideal replacement.
“I wouldn’t give it up unless he got it,” the fire chief said.
The elder Stoolman said the fire chief needs to work in town and be willing to “drop what he’s doing and go.” Kevin owns West Branch Repairs, which is only a block or so from the fire department.
Both Stoolmans’ positions are four-year terms. The all-volunteer fire department met on June 5 for its annual election of officers and truck captains and voted on the change. The West Branch City Council ratified it Monday.
“Thank you for years of hard work,” Council member Tom Dean said.
Council member Mark Worrell smiled as he said that “the Stoolman family ought to get an award.”
All of Dick Stoolman’s four children have served on the fire department and three of them currently serve. Todd Stoolman, also a city council member, and Jodee Stoolman have about 25 years and Jeff Stoolman served for about 10 years before moving out of the area. Dick served for about 10 years before becoming fire chief. Altogether, the family has about 140 years in the department.
“It’s a proud thing to have them in town,” Worrell said.
The fire chief said the fire administrator will handle a lot of the paperwork and attend meetings; the fire chief will run fire scenes and keep equipment up to date.
Dick Stoolman said he is proud to see Kevin become chief.
“He might run it completely different,” he said.
Dick Stoolman said he had been considering stepping down for a few years when he came up with the fire administrator position.
He said he has worked hard to build up the department’s high fire rating and to build respect.
This past year, the department counted 402 calls, the most ever in his time. He said two-thirds of the calls are for medical reasons and many calls are related to Interstate 80.
He predicts West Branch will eventually have a paid fire chief, but does not think West Branch needs to join a new idea of county-wide fire departments.
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