Schwartz retires from VFD after 32 years

Contributed photo
Vining Fire Chief Adam Schwartz presented his dad Wayne Schwartz with a special plaque commemorating his retirement and 32 years on the Vining Fire Department.

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

Wayne Schwartz was honored for his years of service on the Vining Fire Department, an honor made even more special as the person presenting him the award was not only the fire chief, but his son Adam. 

Wayne has been a member of the Vining Fire Department for 32 years and recently announced he would be retiring from the department. He was presented with a surprise award by his son, while a number of family members and members of the fire department celebrated his contributions to the local fire department. 

“He always had  the love for it,” said Adam of his dad. “I think he would still be on, but with retiring from work and doing more stuff that way he had less time to dedicate to the fire department.”

While his father has retired from the fire department, Adam’s family still remains a big part of the Vining Fire Department. He has two brothers and a brother-in-law who are part of the local department. In addition to his immediate relatives, Adam said members of fire departments become like family with all of their training and time they spend together throughout the year. 

“It was definitely pretty awesome to have family around,” said Adam of Wayne’s retirement celebration. “The fire department has a family of its own as well because even the people who aren’t related are still family—it’s a neat deal.”

A special award was presented to the longtime fire department member, who has served 32 years on the Vining Fire Department, as a surprise at a mutual aid dinner the department held earlier this winter. 

“We had a mutual aid dinner and he didn’t have a clue that was coming. It was kind of a shock to him,” said Adam.

Wayne joined the fire department 32 years ago and joined around the same time that current members Todd Volden and Marvin Suchy joined the volunteer fire department. 

Adam said he first got interested in joining the fire department due to the love of the department he saw from his dad, but there are a number of other benefits of being a part of the local fire department as well. He said it is a great way to give back to the community and help others during their time of need.

“I definitely got into it because dad was doing it,” said Adam. “Being able to give back to the community to being part of the community. There are a lot of benefits to it.”