LINTON CITY SERVICES: Gary Tannehill takes proactive approach as new fire chief

Linton Fire Chief Gary Tannehill [Order this photo]

Linton Fire Chief Gary Tannehill says things have gone smoothly during the few short months he has been in charge of the department.

"There are a lot of things the department wants to achieve, but we are taking it one step at a time," noted Tannehill.

Many changes have already begun since his promotion in October such as the Emergency Service Cost Reimbursement Ordinance implemented in January 2009, which will alleviate some of the financial burden from taxpayers.

With this ordinance, the fire department can collect $500 -- or more -- from insurance companies when the department responds to a motor vehicle accident or called on a fire run.

Also, Tannehill says the department has increased its public relation with the Linton-Stockton School faculty regarding fire and tornado drills.

As always, the LFD invites school children in grades K-2 to the station to teach fire safety during fire prevention month each October.

Tannehill said the department is presently in the process of updating the preplan information. The information lists business owners, notes if there is any hazardous material existing in the building and if there is a basement. A drawing of the structure is also included.

"Brad Sparks is in charge of gathering the information," noted Tannehill. "We hope to eventually put the information on a laptop and keep it in the fire engine. If called to a fire, the address could be typed into the laptop, and the information would immediately become available. Previously, the information has been stored in a file cabinet."

Tannehill said Sparks has also been to grant-writing classes and wrote a grant for a new tanker truck, which will be delivered soon. The new truck has a pump that can be used when on a run outside of city limits.

According to Tannehill, the LFD is also working in conjunction with the city in testing hydrants and making sure they are all in working order.

"I'm also trying to get more training for the guys as soon as the weather is warmer," noted Tannehill. "Technology constantly changes in the way to fight a fire. There are different safety regulations put in place every year. Sometimes that calls for more equipment and more cost."

He added that during the past 10 years, state and federal regulations have become stricter and firemen have to constantly be in a state of learning.

"People don't see that side of our job," Tannehill said.

He also noted that recently the ladder truck has been put back in service after being repaired.

Tannehill said that the firemen are still enjoying the new building, especially its spaciousness.

"We like the space we have to do maintenance on the trucks," Tannehill explained. "Before, we had to do repair work outside, which made it difficult in cold weather. The building also projects an image for the town to outsiders who visit, and the guys do a great job keeping the building clean."

Tannehill explained that the LFD is busier each year. In 2008, there were 1,024 runs. During the last three years, the runs have increased by 150 percent. He noted that as the city's population grows older, the EMS runs increase.

Tannehill was a familiar face around the city before he became a fireman. After working for the Linton Police Department six years, he transferred to the fire department.

"Jason Smith wanted to go to the police department, so we switched," Tannehill explained. "It didn't affect our pensions, so it wasn't a lot of trouble. I still get to interact with the public every day and am still able to use my EMT training as a fireman."

As for being fire chief, Tannehill said Lonnie Eberhardt (the previous chief) is still around to give him advice and "the guys have all been very supportive."

Tannehill is a Linton native. He graduated Calvary Baptist School and Vincennes University where he majored in criminology.

MEET THE LINTON CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT

GARY TANNEHILL

FAMILY: Son, Trayton; daughter, Brianna;

and fiancee Terri.

TITLE/JOB AT DEPARTMENT: Fire Chief

YEARS OF SERVICE WITH DEPARTMENT: 6 (transferred from police department)

DESCRIBE DUTIES: Oversees department, fire protection, EMS duties and office duties.

FAVORITE PART OF JOB: Interaction with the public.

LEAST FAVORITE PART OF JOB: Anything that has to do with injured or sick children.

WHY DO YOU DO THIS JOB: Transferring from the police department gives me more time with my children, but still gives me the opportunity to serve the public.

KENT (OPIE) WALL

TITLE/JOB AT DEPARTMENT: Captain.

YEARS OF SERVICE WITH DEPARTMENT: 23

DESCRIBE DUTIES: Firefighter and EMT. Providing fire protection and operating the Greene County Rescue.

FAVORITE PART OF JOB: Saving a person's home and belongings from a fire.

LEAST FAVORITE PART OF JOB: Dealing with drug addicts and drunks while on the rescue truck.

WHY DO YOU DO THIS JOB: It's a good job, close to home. You can work 20 years and retire with a locked-in pension.

BRAD SPARKS

FAMILY: Wife, Tami; daughter, Olivia; son, Owen

TITLE/JOB AT DEPARTMENT: Captain

YEARS OF SERVICE WITH DEPARTMENT: 9

DESCRIBE DUTIES: Fire protection, EMS duties, help keep equipment in working order, writes grants, and help organize preplan information.

FAVORITE PART OF JOB: Spending time with kids, teaching fire prevention and just being in the public. I love to help and give back to the community.

LEAST FAVORITE PART OF JOB: Seeing kids that are hurt or losing loved ones. Kids are my number one concern. I hate to see anybody lose anything -- house or life. But I really hate it when it is someone I know. Being from a small town, it is hard.

WHY DO YOU DO THIS: This is in my blood, being a third generation firefighter. This job has just become part of my life. If I didn't have the privilege of working on the Linton Fire Department, I would be a volunteer.

LONNIE EBERHARDT

FAMILY: Sons, Mitchell and Matthew

TITLE/JOB AT DEPARTMENT: Fireman/EMT

YEARS OF SERVICE WITH DEPARTMENT: 19

DESCRIBE DUTIES: Fire protection, E.M.S. duties, and office duties.

FAVORITE PART OF JOB: Giving back to the community, fire prevention and spending time with the kids.

LEAST FAVORITE PART OF JOB: Seeing anyone lose his or her possessions to fire or losing a loved one, also, children being hurt or sick.

WHY DO YOU DO THIS JOB: I like giving back to the community, and the excitement and challenges the job offers.

TOM ROBISON

FAMILY: Daughters: Olivia and Maddie; fiancee Shelly and daughter Taylor and son Tyler.

TITLE/JOB AT DEPARTMENT: Captain

YEARS OF SERVICE WITH DEPARTMENT: 9

DESCRIBE DUTIES: To protect people, without hesitation, in Linton and Stockton Township from dangers such as fires, chemicals, and car wrecks, and do it professionally.

FAVORITE PART OF JOB: Meeting people and having people say thank you for being there.

LEAST FAVORITE PART OF JOB: When there is a bad situation where you know the families or friends, and when there are things such as deaths or bad injuries.

WHY DO YOU DO THIS JOB: For the satisfaction of helping people and knowing they are thankful for what you do, and kids are special. They look up to us, and that's pretty neat.

ERIC CARPENTER

FAMILY: Wife, D'Lee; daughter, Whitney; son, Dalton

TITLE/JOB AT DEPARTMENT: Firefighter/EMT, treasurer/secretary of Firefighter's Union Local 3087

YEARS OF SERVICE WITH DEPARTMENT: 8

DESCRIBE DUTIES: Provide fire protection, ambulance service, extraction, maintenance of trucks and educate children on the importance of fire prevention and protection.

FAVORITE PART OF JOB: Being able to help people in their time of need and

talking with children about fire safety.

LEAST FAVORITE PART OF JOB: Notifying family when a loved one has passed on.

Making a run on a child or a woman where abuse or neglect is involved, and

the long shifts that take me away from my family.

WHY DO YOU DO THIS: It has been a childhood dream to have a job like this.

DOUG HALL

FAMILY: Wife, Brook; son, Jarret

TITLE/JOB AT DEPARTMENT: Firefighter/paramedic

YEARS OF SERVICE WITH DEPARTMENT: 5

DESCRIBE DUTIES: Fire and rescue. Keep equipment clean and ready.

FAVORITE PART OF JOB: Spending time with kids and teaching fire prevention.

Helping people by giving back to the community.

LEAST FAVORITE PART OF JOB: Runs on people I know, and nights away from home.

WHY DO YOU DO THIS JOB: I like the excitement and challenges and helping

people.

RICHIE BUDD

FAMILY: Wife, Deanna; daughters, Chelsee and Emma

TITLE/JOB AT DEPARTMENT: Fireman

YEARS OF SERVICE WITH DEPARTMENT: 4

DESCRIBE DUTIES: Provide EMT and fire fighting service, wash trucks and

maintain equipment.

FAVORITE PART OF JOB: Being able to help others in a time of crisis.

LEAST FAVORITE PART OF JOB: Making a rescue run on someone you know who has had a significant injury or illness. Long shifts and time away from home.

WHY DO YOU DO THIS JOB: I like excitement and challenges that the job brings, and it's not monotonous. I've gotten more reward from this job in six months than I did in 12 years at my previous job.

NICK YINLING

TITLE/JOB AT DEPARTMENT: Firefighter/EMT

YEARS OF SERVICE: 2

FAVORITE PART OF JOB: Helping citizens of Linton

LEAST FAVORITE PART OF JOB: Assisting in wreck where people are badly injured or where there are fatalities.

WHY DO YOU DO THIS JOB: It is a good steady job close to home.