Fire Chief Ken Barrett says goodbye to York Township

YORK TWP. — When retiring Erhart/York Township fire Chief Ken Barrett was a young software engineer in the 1980s, something about sitting behind a desk just didn't sit right with him. He said the only choice easier than forgoing a career in tech was where to become a firefighter and start his family. "I could've become a volunteer firefighter anywhere," Barrett said Tuesday. "I wanted to do it in this area because this is my community and, like many other good people around here, I wanted to try and help make it better. With the help of others, I like to think all this time has made a difference." Barrett is retiring from Erhart/York fire after 22 years with the department, the past 14 of which he's spent as chief. Those duties have come in addition to full-time work as a captain with the Strongsville Fire Department and are part of a 37-year safety service career. His departure from Erhart/York became official Sept. 30 and leads up to a full retirement in November. "It didn't take long sitting behind a desk to know I hated it and wanted to be somewhere else," he said. "Being a firefighter is something that's just always been with me and something I wanted to do. My very first job was in Brunswick Hills." York Township Trustee Rick Monroe said Barrett's efforts are responsible for roughly $1 million in grant funding that led to the purchase of safety gear, breathing apparatus and a new pumper truck that cost more than $300,000. "I was there when he was sworn in," Monroe said of Barrett's 2007 appointment. "What a chief. What else can you say? That man's done nothing but good for our township and he deserves our thanks. I think it's pretty unprecedented for someone in his position in our township to raise that kind of money. It's let us do so many things that wouldn't have been possible." As with most fire departments, EMS assistance now makes up the vast majority of calls with Ehhart/York's ratio coming in at about 65 percent, Barrett said. "Responding to emergency situations is just a big part of the job now, and all of our people have continued to adjust to it very well," he said. "One purchase we made was for bulletproof vests, because nowadays you just don't always know what kind of situation you're going to be walking into." "Departments have also come a long way with what we know about hazardous materials and the cancer risk in turnout gear," Barrett added. "It's shown how important it is to get gear washed after every fire. New purchases have helped with that, too." The York Township resident said he's looking forward to spending more time with a family that's grown to include five children and three grandchildren. "There's no better feeling than joining the fire service voluntarily and doing it in the community you live in," Barrett said. "I live on the border of York and Lafayette. York was where I wanted to serve. It's a very warm feeling to know that I was able to help out. Without the members of the department, none of this would have been possible. Everybody gives as much as they can." Barrett said the fire department, 6609 Norwalk Road., is looking for new volunteers and taking applications from the public. Hiring personnel are at the station every Monday starting at 6:30 p.m. Contact reporter Jonathan Delozier at (330) 721-4050 or jdelozier@medina-gazette.com.