Reserve city firefighter Mike Grew retires

Van Wert Fire Dept. information

The Van Wert Fire Department recently celebrated the retirement of Firefighter Mike E. Grew, who left the service of the department on January 24 as the longest serving reserve firefighter in the modern history of the department.

Grew was hired by former Fire Chief Ron Rank on January 1, 1989.  He attained certifications as a volunteer firefighter in 1989, EMT in 1989, Firefighter 1 in 1998, and had received additional training in the Incident Management System.

Grew is a 25-year employee Central Mutual Insurance, where he continues to work as a senior maintenance technician.

Van Wert Fire Chief Jim Steele said Mike was a Thursday night regular at the department, consistently doing his ride time on that day from 6 to 10 p.m.  During a watch presentation Chief Steele discussed how Grew consistently displayed the core values of service above self to the department and the city.

“It was clear he loved what he did and would do anything asked of him to assist in the functions of the department,” Chief Steele noted. “Mike truly enjoyed working behind the scenes; however, he decided that it was time to step back. We will miss him.”

Grew is married to his wife, Jane, of 35 years, and has three grown children: Scott, Brent and Cory.  He resides in Ridge Township.