As a young child growing up in Chester Township, Bob Painter’s favorite field trip to Century Village Museum in Burton included his first view of the Chardon Fire Department’s early apparatus.
As a young child growing up in Chester Township, Bob Painter’s favorite field trip to Century Village Museum in Burton included his first view of the Chardon Fire Department’s early apparatus.
The visit sparked an interest in both history and fire services, fueling a lifelong passion.
“I have always enjoyed old things for as far back as I can remember,” Painter said. “Saving history means saving the heart and souls of the county.”
Painter, of Munson Township, celebrated 47 years last month with Chardon Fire Department.
“We are here doing what we do today because of the men and women before us,” Painter said. “The effort to develop and perform the services to the community came with great sacrifice to everyday people. They used and learned from basic methods and equipment.”
Chardon community’s need for a fire department followed the first documented fire on July 25, 1868, which caused massive destruction in downtown Chardon, burning businesses and the county courthouse to the ground.
It is documented many men ascended to the courthouse roof and cupola to put out flames, but once the heat became unbearable, they were forced off.
Chardon’s first fire department was officially established March 21, 1877, and mainly comprised townspeople who could run to help.
A fire bell to alert the community was purchased two years later and is still displayed on the south end of Chardon Square.
Painter reflected on the early adrenaline-pumping similarities he found between firefighting and playing football.
“I found the fire service offered me the competitive drive that sports gave me,” he said.
Painter played football for West Geauga High School and in 1966, was the second highest scoring back in the Chagrin Valley Conference, earning him a scholarship to play football at the College of Sequoias in Visalia, Calif.
After graduation, he became a mental health recreational therapist for a day treatment program and on a whim, he stopped by a local fire department in Porterville in the San Joaquin Valley.
“The next thing I knew, I had boots, coat and a helmet,” Painter said.
His station was responsible for structure and wildland fires.
After serving as a paid part-time firefighter from 1972 to 1976 on two fire departments, he and his wife, Nora, his high school sweetheart, moved back to Geauga County, settling in Chardon in 1977.
He joined Chardon’s volunteer department and over the years, has served multiple times as a department trustee.
Several years ago, Painter “hung up his boots” and focused his energy on his business, Painter Carpet Cleaning.
Back in 2008, he was appointed CFD’s historian and curator.
“The purpose is to preserve the equipment and documents for future generations to enjoy,” Painter said. “We have a rich history and we are very proud of our commitment to share this history with the community of the Chardon area.”
Painter heads up the “Antique Battalion”— a charter of the Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America. He provides upkeep to their 1928 Prospect Engine 1 that he is often seen driving in during the Geauga County Maple Festival parades.
He has also filled the glass showcase cabinets in the station’s lobby with many CFD antique memorabilia pieces.
Painter has owned and restored many classic fire trucks over the years, he said, adding his first restoration purchase was a 1952 GMC Fire Engine.
He also loves to attend antique fire musters — events where old and new fire apparatus are on display. Over the years, he’s had the opportunity to meet and hear many fire service stories, and enjoys providing historical background to the newest generation firefighters
“The 47 years served has flown by, some good and some very difficult, but it has been a very satisfying way to serve the Chardon area community,” Painter said.
Rose Nemunaitis/KMG
8814 & 8815
Bob Painter, Chardon Fire Department’s longtime historian, with a Rumsey Hook and Ladder Truck, one of the original and oldest fire apparatus pieces purchased in March of 1878.
