Convoy Fire Chief Don Wilson retiring

CINDY WOOD/independent feature writer

Don Wilson is looking forward to a lot of things in his retirement. One of those things might be a simple, uninterrupted meal with his wife, Madge.

“I can’t even begin to count the number of meals we’ve had interrupted, or things getting rescheduled at the last minute,” Wilson said. “I think my wife should get an award for having a meal ready, and somehow managing to make it appetizing three hours later,” he added with a laugh.

Wilson recently announced that he will be retiring from his role as Convoy fire chief in July, exactly 50 years after he began working at the department as a probationary firefighter. Wilson began his career in July of 1963, just a few short months before the nation would be shocked by the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. No doubt, it was a pivotal year in American history.

It was also a turning point for Wilson, who at 21 years old was eager to learn the ins and outs of the department.

“At that time, I had a couple brothers-in-law who went into the department ahead of me,” Wilson said. “I had always thought it was an interesting thing to get into, so I put in for it and started soon after. At that time, I thought I was just going to try it for a period of time and see how it went.”

Fifty years – and a heck of a lot of late-night fire runs later – one could say it has gone well for the man who has served the department as chief for nearly 40 out of his 50 years. The decision to hang up his fire helmet didn’t come easily, but Wilson said it was the right time, for the right reasons.

“I always said that if I was going to retire, I wanted to be at the top of my ability,” Wilson said. “But I realize I’m not as sharp as I used to be and can’t devote the time to do what I should be doing. It’s time for me to step aside and let the other guys do it.”

The “other guy”, as far as Convoy fire chief is concerned, is Gary Kreischer, who has been with the department for 30 years, the last 20 as captain. Kreischer will step into the role of chief, and, together, the two men are working to create a seamless transition.

“He’s already getting some stuff in place and doing some training that needed to be done,” Wilson said of Kreischer. “We both want to do all we can to make this transition as comfortable for everyone as we can make it.”

Over the course of his 50-year career, Wilson has witnessed many changes in the firefighting industry, with regards to training and advanced equipment and protective gear. “The personal protective gear back then was pretty primitive,” Wilson said. “We pretty much used a glorified rain coat, and it was one size fits all, but that’s what we had to work with. Nowadays, we think differently, and we train differently and of course, our gear is a lot better.”

Wilson’s retirement might prove the biggest transition for his family members, who have grown accustomed to accommodating the crazy, and somewhat unpredictable, schedule of a fire chief. “It’s going to be an adjustment for everyone, I think, but I’m really looking forward to spending more time with my family,” Wilson said, adding that he’s looking forward to repaying his family for all the support they have shown him throughout the years.

Last year, Wilson’s wife suffered a stroke and her health and recovery have become the family’s main priority. “It’s just time for me to be supportive of her; the aftermath of a stroke has not only been devastating to her, but to our entire family as well,” he said. “You just learn to do things differently and it’s certainly been an adjustment for all of us.”

Wilson has a couple of months left to tie up some loose ends at the department, but with his retirement looming, he’s well aware some of his personal goals for the department will not be met under his leadership.

“And I’m okay with that, because I think we’ve done some great things for the community,” Wilson said, adding that the department successfully raised the insurance rating for the village to a Class 6. “I think that reflects the progress the department has made. While it’s not necessarily a tangible thing that you can put your hands on, it was definitely a good thing for our community.”

Although he would have liked to see more daytime staff added during his tenure, Wilson admits it’s difficult to find volunteers, due to work schedules and family obligations. “But, overall, I think I’ve had a pretty good run and I’ve been blessed to have worked with some of the best people in the world,” he said.

Wilson called the department, which consists of approximately 26 personnel, a family atmosphere that has its ups and downs at times. “It really is like a family relationship, and I don’t think you’ll find another volunteer organization better than the one we have right here,” he added.

Wilson said he has spent much time reflecting on his career, and, while there have been some troubling times and stresses on the job, he feels blessed to have been a part of keeping the village safe and secure. “It’s been good for me to sit back and count the good things and the bad things, and at the end of the day, the good things far outnumber the bad,” he said. “I feel good. I feel comfortable. I feel like it’s time.”

A reception is planned for July 14 in the Convoy Community Building and the public is invited to stop in and wish Chief Wilson well in his retirement.