Celebrating a legacy: Fort Morrow Fire District honors chiefs past and present

Six chiefs, past and present, of the Fort Morrow Fire District were honored during the department's annual dinner on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, at the fire hall in Waldo. From left to right are new Chief Tyler Lowe, recently retired Chief Kevin Edington (2018-2023), and former chiefs Terry Bowdre (2009-2017), Mike Fogle (1989-2009), Rex Henry (1975-1989), and Bruce Baker (1962-1975). Each of the retired chiefs was presented with a certificate honoring their service with the Fort Morrow Fire District.

Chiefs past and present were honored when supporters of the Fort Morrow Fire District gathered recently for its annual dinner.

Longtime Fort Morrow Fire District firefighter and assistant fire chief Tyler Lowe was sworn in to serve as the new chief of the department during the dinner held Jan. 21 at the fire hall in Waldo. He has served with the department since 2003.

Marion County Commissioner Mark Davis administered the oath of office to Lowe. Former Chief Bruce Baker pinned Lowe's chief badge on his uniform and former Chief Rex Henry presented Lowe with a certificate of promotion on behalf of the district's board of trustees.

Former Chief Kevin Edington retired Jan. 1, 2023, after serving five years as chief of the district. Under his leadership, Fort Morrow Fire District transitioned from an all-volunteer district to a fully staffed department that has dramatically expanded its service to the community, Lowe said.

Retired Fort Morrow Fire District Chief Kevin Edington, right, was honored for his service to the department during the annual dinner held Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, at the fire hall in Waldo. He was presented with a commemorative axe and his helmet as tokens of appreciation. Also pictured are new Chief Tyler Lowe, left, and fire district board member Mike Augenstein, who represents Waldo Township.

"What he has done as the chief in five years, he has staffed this building with 24/7 staffing, and we have doubled our call volume (from approximately 260 calls in 2018)," Lowe said. "We've gotten over half a million dollars worth of grants that has saved the taxpayer. And there are a lot more moving parts in this department today than there was five years ago.

"I truly feel that wouldn't have happened if it didn't start with (former) Chief (Terry) Bowdre getting us in this building and then Chief Edington finishing it up. Now we have to continue on with the legacy of this fire department," Lowe added. "I can't say enough about what Chief Edington did in his five years. You did a lot and we thank you for it."

The department presented Edington with a commemorative axe and his helmet in honor of his career and to recognize his retirement.

Including Edington, five former chiefs were honored during the dinner. That group included Terry Bowdre (2009-2017), Mike Fogle (1989-2009), Rex Henry (1975-1989), and Bruce Baker (1962-1975).

"This is obviously very special," Lowe said. "Tonight we have six fire chiefs in the room at the same time. I don't know if that's happened ever, but it's very special to me and I wanted to present each of them (with a certificate commemorating) the occasion because it's truly something amazing. And thank you to each of you for your service."

Capt. Mike Russell, left, is the 2022 Firefighter of the Year for the Fort Morrow Fire District. Former Chief Kevin Edington, right, presented Russell with the award during the annual dinner held Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, at the fire hall in Waldo.
Capt. Mike Russell, left, is the 2022 Firefighter of the Year for the Fort Morrow Fire District. Former Chief Kevin Edington, right, presented Russell with the award during the annual dinner held Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, at the fire hall in Waldo.

Capt. Mike Russell was honored as Firefighter of the Year for 2022. Edington praised Russell for his dedication and service to the department and his fellow firefighters.

"This award means a lot to us as a chief and assistant chief and administrators," Edington said. "This award is presented to someone who really steps up and shows pride and leadership within our department."

Waldo Mayor Bruce Baker presented a proclamation to former Chief Terry Bowdre and his son, Ben Bowdre, honoring their family's service to the community. The proclamation declared that all fire hydrants located in the Village of Waldo will now be known as "Bowdre Boys." Baker said the proclamation was presented in honor of the late Jack Bowdre, father of Terry Bowdre and grandfather of Ben Bowdre, who was chief of the Leesburg Township Fire Department.

"Therefore, be it resolved, the mayor and village council of the Village of Waldo wish to commend the Bowdre Boys for their service to Fort Morrow Fire Department and the Village of Waldo, Ohio," Baker read from the proclamation. The proclamation was passed by village council on Jan. 3, 2023.

Tommy Crawford is the recipient of a Civilian Service Award presented by the Fort Morrow Fire District.
Tommy Crawford is the recipient of a Civilian Service Award presented by the Fort Morrow Fire District.

The Fort Morrow Fire District honored two local residents for their contributions to the department and the community during the snow emergency in late December. Edington presented Civilian Service Award certificates to Tommy Crawford and Jason Lehner.

Crawford helped free a department vehicle from a snow bank and then plowed the roadway in front of the squad so it could provide much needed medical assistance to a resident. Lehner also helped the department plow a snowy roadway to help medics reach a woman in need of medical care. He then helped medics move the woman to the squad vehicle for transport to the hospital.

Jason Lehner is the recipient of a Civilian Service Award presented by the Fort Morrow Fire District.
Jason Lehner is the recipient of a Civilian Service Award presented by the Fort Morrow Fire District.

The Village of Waldo established what would later become the Fort Morrow Fire District in 1890 with J.L. Porterfield as its first chief. The village built the first fire station on East Main Street at a cost of $422.90. In 1978, the Fort Morrow Fire District was established.

Email: ecarter@gannett.com | Twitter: @AndrewACCarter

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Fort Morrow Fire District honors chiefs past and present