After decades of service, Drayton deputy fire chief Daryl Brodhaecker and Moorefield deputy fire chief Tom Wood have retired.
“As we have two of our best leaving, we have two more to fill their shoes,” said Mayor Gregg Davidson during a Mapleton council meeting on Feb. 11.
The deputy chiefs will be replaced by Eric Deckert and Jeremy Moore.
“We cannot thank our volunteer firefighters enough for what they do in our community – for the years of service that they put in,” including the work they put into completing and keeping up with training, Davidson said during the meeting.
“A lot of people in the community don’t realize that to be a volunteer firefighter you have to take the courses of a regular, full-time firefighter, and that takes a lot of weekends away from family,” Davidson noted.
Firefighters are called out to work at any time, including in the middle of the night and the middle of the day, he added.
“That’s a lot to ask, and these folks stand up and do it year in and year out, and we are so proud of them for volunteering for the township of Mapleton,” the mayor said.
Daryl Brodhaecker
Brodhaecker initially joined the former Drayton Fire Department in June 1989, Davidson said and, with a chuckle, added, “Jeez, Daryl, that’s a long time ago.
“He climbed the ranks of the department until being hired as deputy chief in 2015,” Davidson said.
“Daryl always had the respect of the firefighters at the station,” he noted.
Brodhaeker was always quick to show up to community events and to make sure each event had the support it needed, Davidson said.
He described Brodhaecker as “a calm leader who guided the department through anything they would face.”
Davidson said Broadhaecker was a “champion for the cause” of the new partnership between Mapleton, Minto and Wellington North fire services and supported his department through the transition.
“It was through his guidance that the partnership was able to flourish from the beginning and be as strong as it is today,” Davidson said.
“Daryl, on behalf of the township, not just council but all of the residents, thank you for your years of service to this community and Mapleton Fire Rescue,” Davidson said.
Tom Wood
Tom Wood joined the Maryborough Fire Station in 1992, Davidson said.
Wood lived close to the station and worked in town, so was able to attend almost every call, he said.
“His quiet leadership showed through and he was promoted to deputy chief in 2000. The station thrived under his leadership and he brought everyone together and made the station a cohesive unit,” Davidson said.
“When he would speak up, everyone would listen,” he added.
“He always fought for his people and his community, and that’s what everyone respected about Tom.
“Just like Daryl, Tom was a key part of the transition to the new partnership and he made sure everything went smoothly for the new firefighters of Mapleton,” Davidson said.
“He is a very respected person in his community and will even go knocking on doors if you just moved to town, asking if you want to join the department.”
Eric Deckert
Fire chief Chris Harrow introduced the new deputy fire chiefs, noting they were selected after a competitive process involving applications and interviews.
Harrow said Deckert started working with Mapleton Fire Rescue in 2011.
“Previous to that he was a member of the Wesley Fire Department, giving him a total of over 20 years experience in the fire service,” he noted.
“Just like the previous leaders, [Deckert] is a calm leader who has the respect of his crews. He teaches safety and first aid on a regular basis and is able to bring that knowledge to the station and the entire department, which is huge and valuable to us,” Harrow said.
Before being promoted to Drayton’s district fire chief, Deckert was a captain, and on the day of the council meeting he was interviewing candidates for his own replacement, Harrow noted.
He said Deckert is “looking forward to growing with the organization in the new partnership and has (already) hit the ground running.”
Jeremy Moore
“Jeremy Moore has been with Mapleton Fire Rescue since 2000, giving him 25 years of dedicated service to our department,” Harrow said.
“He served as captain for many years and was ready to take the next step.” Harrow said Moore is “well respected around the station and is a good fit to take up where Tom left off.”
He described Moore’s quiet leadership and how everyone always listens when he speaks up.
“He knows when to step in and fix an issue and he knows how to empower his firefighters to work any issues out,” he said.
“We look forward to working with Jeremy and Eric, and the sky is the limit for Mapleton Fire Rescue,” Harrow said.