Shawn McKelvey gets state attention for work he does with South Central firefighters

Linda Hall
·3 min read

Shawn McKelvey, assistant chief and fiscal officer for the South Central Fire District in Fredericksburg, considers it a privilege to serve the community in which he grew up.

McKelvey was named the Fire Officer of the Year by the Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of State Fire Marshal and Ohio Department of Public Safety's Division of EMS.

The 43rd annual Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame and Fire Awards ceremony in which he was honored for his exceptional leadership and commitment was held April 24 at COSI in Columbus.

In his email about his award, McKelvey expressed appreciation for the many people who have supported him throughout his life and offered him guidance.

Not only does he have respect for those who have previously led the department, their dedication has "paved the way for future generations, and I feel privileged to be a small part of that," McKelvey said.

"Our volunteers spend a great deal of time responding to calls on a daily basis, and to know they appreciate my duties of serving both them and the community is a feeling of accomplishment," says Shawn McKelvey, assistant chief at South Central Fire District in Fredericksburg. He was named state Fire Officer of the Year, recently.
"Our volunteers spend a great deal of time responding to calls on a daily basis, and to know they appreciate my duties of serving both them and the community is a feeling of accomplishment," says Shawn McKelvey, assistant chief at South Central Fire District in Fredericksburg. He was named state Fire Officer of the Year, recently.

Landscaping fit the bill, but firefighting became home

Although his father volunteered for the department for 30 years and retired from the same position McKelvey, a Waynedale High School graduate, now holds, following in his dad's footsteps wasn't his original career path, he said.

Instead, he earned a degree in turfgrass management and landscape construction from The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute.

He owned and operated a landscape business for 15 years before completing volunteer fire and basic EMT certification from the Wayne County Regional Training Facility and beginning his career in the department in 2007.

It took recognizing how much his father enjoyed contributing to the community, "even in the toughest times," and listening to stories from other firefighters recalling "memorable moments and tragic events they endured together" for McKelvey to join their ranks.

He spent 11 years as a volunteer and has accrued six years in a full-time position, earning additional certification in Firefighter 1 and 2, Advanced EMT and Fire Safety Inspector.

Fredericksburg Assistant Fire Chief Shawn McKelvey stands next to the department's mascot, Fredericksburg Freddie. Freddie was the mascot of Fredericksburg High School, which soon will be the location of the new fire department building.
Fredericksburg Assistant Fire Chief Shawn McKelvey stands next to the department's mascot, Fredericksburg Freddie. Freddie was the mascot of Fredericksburg High School, which soon will be the location of the new fire department building.

Respectful of time volunteers put in

McKelvey is respectful of the role of volunteer firefighters, making one of his goals "to increase productivity and efficiency in the volunteer setting, all the while decreasing the amount of time that our volunteers would spend away from their primary jobs and families," he said in an email.

"Our volunteers spend a great deal of time responding to calls on a daily basis, and to know they appreciate my duties of serving both them and the community is a feeling of accomplishment," he said.

His award stated he "goes above and beyond to support his volunteer team by handling extensive post-service cleanup and maintenance tasks, ensuring volunteers can return properly to their primary employment."

Fredericksburg Assistant Fire Chief Shawn McKelvey says one of the biggest challenges of the job has been a decades-long problem with radio reception, which soon will be corrected with the addition of a new tower.
Fredericksburg Assistant Fire Chief Shawn McKelvey says one of the biggest challenges of the job has been a decades-long problem with radio reception, which soon will be corrected with the addition of a new tower.

One of his biggest challenges on the job has been a decades-long problem with radio reception.

Big hurdle is radio reception, but will be overcome soon

MARCS system coverage increased in certain parts of the county, "but not in the southern part due to the bowl-like topography of Fredericksburg," McKelvey said. "... Very poor and oftentimes nonexistent radio coverage plac(ed) an extra burden on our first responders, who may already be dealing with a stressful situation."

In 2018, McKelvey, the only full-time member of the department, began the time-consuming process of making contacts and doing research to remedy the issue.

Shawn McKelvey stands in front of the Fredericsksburg Fire Department squad. McKelvey, assistant chief, was recently named Fire Officer of the Year by the Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of State Fire Marshal and Ohio Department of Public Safety's Division of EMS.
Shawn McKelvey stands in front of the Fredericsksburg Fire Department squad. McKelvey, assistant chief, was recently named Fire Officer of the Year by the Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of State Fire Marshal and Ohio Department of Public Safety's Division of EMS.

After six years of working on the problem, he said "the new tower is scheduled to be online in the next coming months."

McKelvey's distinction additionally recognized him for serving as a mentor, making customized training schedules, maintaining detailed records for optimum proficiency, spearheading fundraising efforts and outreach initiatives, cultivating relationships within local Amish communities, and improving emergency communication systems.

McKelvey praises others for his accomplishments and accolades.

"Ultimately the credit goes to this wonderful group of volunteers, who are willing to adapt the new changes and ideas to protect the community they serve, making my job much easier," he said of working together to adapt to a changing industry and develop new skills.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Fredericksburg firefighter Shawn McKelvey earns Fire Marshal award