(Seguin) — Jimmy Vogel, Battalion Fire Chief with the Seguin Fire/EMS Department stood proudly in the center of the Central Fire Station Friday afternoon as he signed off from duty for the very last time.
Fire dispatch responded, “The city’s Battalion Chief Jimmy Vogel has proudly served the citizens of Seguin for the last 40 years. He’s been an exceptional leader and role model to his fellow fire fighters and community members. Today after 5 p.m. service and on behalf of the Seguin Fire Department and the city of Seguin, we thank you and wish you a happy retirement.”
Prior to his radio sign-off, Vogel appeared from underneath the rising fire station bay doors only to be surprised by friends, family and his firefighting family — all who gathered to wish him well following a 40 year long career with the Seguin Fire Department.
Serenaded with bag pipes, Vogel celebrated the end of a long fire fighting history — a history that also names him the longest tenured employee in the history of the department.
Vogel says he appreciates all those who came out to wish him well.
“I knew they had something planned but I was like, ‘oh, God, what is this going to be?’ It’s kind of bittersweet. That was a long time coming but I’m glad it’s hear. I’m glad my retirement is here but I’m going to miss these people. They’ve been a part of my life for a longtime,” said Vogel.
Vogel says retiring from the fire house is more than just saying goodbye to a job.
“It’s all about making sure that we as a group, the fire department, take care of each other and can go home in the morning and go back to our family. That’s what it is about. Yes, we serve the public and that’s why we are here but it’s also about your family. You have to take care of your family as well,” said Vogel.
Vogel also says the Seguin Fire/EMS Department is unmatched and would put it up against anyone else.
“It’s (fire department) the only one I’ve ever known so it’s the best that I know of,” laughs Vogel.” I’d put them against anybody. It’s been a good department. The city, itself, has been very good to me and my family so I’m happy as I can be,” said Vogel.
Although Vogel laughs and says retirement will be filled with plenty of honey do list, he does hope to travel with his wife Nona who also retired from the city of Seguin a couple of years ago.