Honor Roll of our past Fire Chiefs who served the Parkman Volunteer Fire and Rescue Team since its beginning in 1945!

W. M. Moore served 1945 – 1946
Joe Lovesee served 1947 – 1954
Bill Snyder served 1955 – 1959
Bill Young served 1960 – 1961
Glenn Thompson served 1962 – 1972
Donald George served 1973 – 1985
Wayne Komandt served 1986 – 2016
Mike Komandt served 2017 – Present

Life is worth living when you involve yourself in something you love. Chuck joined the Parkman Fire Department in 1965 and responded to emergencies whenever he wasn’t working as a surveyor. He left during dinner, birthday parties, in the middle of the night, on his way home from work, whenever he was needed. One of his earliest memories concerned two men who stopped at the old fire house on a work night and told the men his house was on fire on 422 by the river east of Parkman then left. Chuck was on the tailboard of the first truck out. As they approached the scene, they could hear the women screaming that their kids were in the house. As it turned out, the men had picked up the kids earlier. The hair on Chuck’s arms still react to the memory. He also recalls the old mill burning down. Shortly after the fire, the department received a letter thanking them for saving the bridge from any damage. A couple years later Chuck was working on the Ohio Turnpike and had an older gentleman working for him who wrote that letter when he was the State Bridge Engineer.

I drove a school bus all over northeastern Ohio for handicapped kids. When the FD added EMS, I got certified and joined in ’86. Then we both responded at all hours of the day and night when not working. My fondest memories include a baby born in the squad (mutual aid to Troy) who opened his eyes and looked around saying “Ah…..Ah….”. That was COOL. His daddy then became an EMT. Of course, the CPR we did that brought a patient back to life was gratifying, especially when they give you a hug later with a “Thank you”. In my 29 years, I’ve pretty much seen it all…the car/snowmobile/motorcycle accidents, suicides, broken bones, heart attacks, strokes and the rest of the misfortunes that befall us.

We did it as unpaid volunteers for many, many years. Chuck’s 50 years (30+ as Assistant Chief) and my 29 years (several years as Medical Officer) with the department is an experience we’ll always treasure. We still listen to the monitor and get “antsy” when there’s a call….and probably always will.

The Parkman community salutes Chuck and Joanie for the many years of selflessness.

Humble Thank You to you both and to everyone who volunteered on the Parkman Fire and Rescue Team!

The date is when these Parkman Fire and Rescue Volunteers joined the team starting with the original team in 1945.