By Dave Schroeder

In 1975 Lexington resident Bob Martin joined the Lexington Volunteer Fire Department, following in the footsteps of his own father. He became Assistant Fire Chief a few years later and then assumed the Fire Chief role in 1982. After 25 years as Fire Chief, Martin stepped down this past December but, will continue to serve on the department. Looking back, he has a lot of memories of fires battled over the years. He says there were a couple of big ones including one that occurred before he became fire chief. That involved a Lexington airport hanger during a blizzard. There were two downtown building fires in recent years that he says the community is very lucky they didn't spread to other buildings. Those were the upper floor of the Cup and Chaucer building and Lexington Laundry. There were other building fires that resulted in death which Martin says you always remember them.

While responding to fires is part of the fire department duties, Martin remembers many incidents over the years involving rescue calls as well. Among them were traffic accidents on the interstate involving fires and death. There were also the farm accidents resulting in loss of limbs.

While he enjoyed the challenge of dealing with various emergencies, Martin says it was the camaraderie among the fire department members that made being Fire Chief so enjoyable to him. Martin describes the firefighters he's worked with over the past 25 years as "tremendous" volunteers who are dedicated to the City of Lexington and to the fire department.

Martin plans to remain on the fire department for as long as he is able saying that it would be awfully hard to walk away from. Martin says firefighting is in his blood and he "would be lost without it".

Martin will be honored this Sunday during an open house and dedication of the new fire hall. It will be held from 1:00pm to 4:00pm with a program at 2:00pm.

-O-