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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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City council accepts fire chief’s resignation
After 31 years of service, Fire Chief Drew Schumacher will resign this March
MT. PLEASANT — At its last meeting, Mt. Pleasant City Council regretfully accepted the resignation of Fire Chief Drew Schumacher effective March 31.
Schumacher began his service with the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department 31 years ago and was promoted to Chief in October 2018, but being a firefighter has been his dream since well before taking on that title.
As Schumacher addressed the room filled with Mt. Pleasant residents, his family, friends, and fellow firefighters, he displayed a photo of his kindergarten class in the mid-1970s during a field trip to the old city hall with a firefighter.
According to Schumacher, even then part of him knew that he wanted to be a firefighter.
“As I come to the end of my tenure at the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department, I find myself reflecting on the firemen that came before me who sought to teach the young men that joined the fire service,” Schumacher said. “Now that I am one of the older firemen, I owe it to the next generation of firemen to pass this along.”
As Schumacher spoke, wearing his dress uniform, he said his motivation for serving as a firefighter has never been to receive recognition, but to give back to the community that has given him so much.
Schumacher thanked the city council and the community for the opportunity to serve them and his family for their sacrifices which made it possible.
“To my wife Bev, my daughter Shyenne, and my son Wolfgang,” he said as his voice broke. “All those missed meals, bedtime stories, missed activities, and family time. Thank you for the sacrifice that you have given to me to chase a boyhood dream.”
“I would also like to thank the members of the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department, both past and present, for my time with them as the fire chief and for having confidence in my abilities,” he continued. “I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the former Mt. Pleasant Fire Chief Stewart Kinney for being a great mentor for me as both a fireman and a person.”
As Schumacher thanked many and proclaimed Mt. Pleasant to be a “great place to live,” the room filled with the sound of applause as everyone stood to show their appreciation to Schumacher for a job well done as Mt. Pleasant’s Fire Chief.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
