Hamilton Fire Department

HFD secures $95,000 federal grant to eliminate carcinogen exposure in engine bays

Several Hamilton Fire Department staff members posed for a publicity photo on the day their $95,000 grant was announced for a diesel exhaust removal system. Shown from left are HFD Firefighter Taten Palmer, HFD Chief Matthew McCracken, HFD Assistant Chief Eric Lynch and HFD Lieutenant John McCracken. Photo by Paul Klekotta.

Several Hamilton Fire Department staff members posed for a publicity photo on the day their $95,000 grant was announced for a diesel exhaust removal system. Shown from left are HFD Firefighter Taten Palmer, HFD Chief Matthew McCracken, HFD Assistant Chief Eric Lynch and HFD Lieutenant John McCracken. Photo by Paul Klekotta.

HAMILTON —The Hamilton Fire Department has officially been awarded a $95,000 federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Staff morale, community spirit being lifted by ‘FD & PD prank wars’

Just in case you haven’t heard yet, the Hamilton Police Department and the Hamilton Fire Department are engaging in a “prank war.” See our editorial on page 4. Left: The first cut is the deepest. HFD personnel found a “Thin Blue Line” flag on their flag pole in the middle of the night. Top: At one point, a Hamilton Fire & Rescue Station No. 2 sign was placed at the Hamilton Police Department.

When the Journal-Record staff learned of the recent “prank wars” being conducted by the Hamilton Fire Department and the Hamilton Police Department, we first off—found them very funny, followed by feeling proud, thrilled, entertained and encouraged by their skills and ingenuity. We felt this type of good-natured kidding around was good for not only staff morale and stress relief for both departments, but also for lifting community spirit.

Reminiscing with former fire chief Tim Rye: The best, the worst and the unforgettable

Former Hamilton Fire Chief Tim Rye sits at his desk on Feb. 24 during his last week on the job before his retirement after 36 years in the fire service.

Former Hamilton Fire Chief Tim Rye sits at his desk on Feb. 24 during his last week on the job before his retirement after 36 years in the fire service.

HAMILTON — After 36 years in the fire service, beginning as a volunteer in 1990, going full-time in 1996 and acting as fire chief since 2013, Tim Rye of Hamilton retired on March 1.

After the FIRE...

You went to sleep near midnight after calls to two wrecks and one heart attack. You’d been asleep for about an hour when the alarm sounded. You jumped into your turnout gear and climbed on the back of the fire truck.
You could see the flames a block away. You jumped off the truck and pulled a hose and connected it to the hydrant. When the signal came, you turned on the water and then ran down the street to join your crew in attacking the blaze.

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