Truro fire chief caps 43-year career
A lot of dads miss the birth of a child because of work. Steve Hein was there because of work.
His wife called him and told him she needed him home immediately. He drove home and found her giving birth to their son. He called for paramedics, who included some of the people he had just been working with, and delivered his son alongside his teammates.
Hein, the Truro Township Fire Department's chief, cites that call as the most memorable moment in his 43- year career, which ended Friday with an open-house celebration at the fire station.
That child, Stephen Hein, now 34, said it’s weird to see his father retire.
“It’s odd to see that chapter close in his life,” he said. “We’re proud of everything he’s done."
The elder Hein, 61, said he believes he leaves the fire department — which also serves the city of Reynoldsburg — in better shape than he found it. Under his supervision, Truro Township Station 161 was demolished, and Hein the replacement is under construction. He pushed for a focus on safety.
The biggest change during his career, he said, was in the number of calls the department responds to in a day. In the 1970s, calls came in maybe 2 or 3 times a day. Now, it's more than 20 times a day.
Current Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Sharps will replace Hein.
“That’s a lot of experience going out the door,” Sharps said. “We’re going to miss him.
“He’s really instilled in me that patience goes a long way.”
While state Reps. Richard Brown, D-Canal Winchester, and Anne Gonzales, R-Westerville, were thanking Hein for his years of service, his grandchildren ran around the station's garage Friday. Hein plans to spend more time with his grandchildren during retirement, in addition to playing golf and fishing.
“I really enjoy what I do,” Hein said of his nowformer career. “I enjoy the people and some of the challenges.”