Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, July 9, 2021, 10:15 AM
https://n2v.almanacnews.com/square/print/2021/07/09/strength-and-service-retiring-fire-chief-harold-schapelhouman-reflects-on-his-40-year-career-in-the-community
Town Square
Strength and service: Retiring fire Chief Harold Schapelhouman reflects on his 40-year career in the community
Original post made on Jul 9, 2021
Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, July 9, 2021, 10:15 AM
Comments
Posted by M.N. Gaetano
a resident of Menlo Park: Downtown
on Jul 9, 2021 at 12:57 pm
M.N. Gaetano is a registered user.
a resident of Menlo Park: Downtown
on Jul 9, 2021 at 12:57 pm
M.N. Gaetano is a registered user.
I had the distinct pleasure of meeting and working with the Chief about 4 years ago, from the onset the Chief was direct sincere and resolute in his convictions... He always put the needs of what was and will be best for the future of the department and its employees. I myself am a third generation resident of the area and in growing up in the area there was a real sense of community pride, togetherness and great community interaction with our Fire department. Over The years Menlo Park Fire Department has done a fabulous job within the local community maintaining such relations and I'm sure the successor to the chief will be the embodiment of those characteristics. Thank you Chief Schapelhouman for your service to your department and to the community. Best of Luck in your next chapter.
Posted by Director Rob Silano
a resident of Menlo Park: Suburban Park/Lorelei Manor/Flood Park Triangle
on Jul 9, 2021 at 12:59 pm
Director Rob Silano is a registered user.
a resident of Menlo Park: Suburban Park/Lorelei Manor/Flood Park Triangle
on Jul 9, 2021 at 12:59 pm
Director Rob Silano is a registered user.
Kate:
A great article and tribute. Thank you
Posted by Peter Carpenter
a resident of Menlo Park: Park Forest
on Jul 9, 2021 at 10:58 pm
Peter Carpenter is a registered user.
a resident of Menlo Park: Park Forest
on Jul 9, 2021 at 10:58 pm
Peter Carpenter is a registered user.
The Fire Service is not just a job or just a profession but rather it is a Calling.
Harold responded to that Calling as a young man 40 years ago and he has never either looked back or failed to live up to the principles of that Calling. He has held almost every rank in the Fire District and held each with distinction.
He has served our community both here and throughout the nation in responding to many disasters including Oklahoma City, World Trade Center, the Columbia Space Shuttle recovery and too many hurricanes to count.
I am confident that if Harold had the choice, he would have been working at the pile in Sunrise Florida rather than being at this retirement ceremony.
He is outspoken on any issue where there is a threat to our community even when doing so was not politically correct.
He has helped make the Fire District one of the most innovative in the Nation and he was one of the key players in the creation of the National Urban Search and Rescue Teams.
Although he had earned his full retirement a decade ago, he has continued to serve for ten more years because of his love for the Calling and his devotion to our community.
And the unsung heroes behind every firefighter are her/his family who patiently waited for them to return from extra shifts and long deployments and who supported them every step of the way.
We owe Harold and his wife Lada and daughter Meg a huge Thank You!
