Minerva Park Fire Department had rich history of service
As I wrote this, it was the last day of the month, the last day of Daylight Savings Time and the last day for the Minerva Park Fire Department. After 63 years, Station 119 is closing its doors and turning over fire protection and EMS to the Columbus Division of Fire. I am sure it will do a great job, but something has been lost and it is fitting to take a moment to commemorate that.
The Mineva Park department started as an all-volunteer unit and remained so for much of its life. In the beginning, when life was different, it was staffed mostly by Minerva Park's housewives, especially during the day. Later, it developed into an eclectic mix of young men and women looking for their start in the 9-1-1 business, along with older folks who wanted to help and be exposed to a different culture.
I was in the latter category for 10 years and, 24 years later, I still miss it.
Most of us went on to do other things. Some of us became physicians, nurses, full-time firefighters or dispatchers across central Ohio and far beyond. I believe one of our former members is now the fire chief for a large city in Texas. Others left for jobs that did not involve being first responders, but they went with different perspectives, and the occasional flashback whenever they hear a siren.
Organizations have lifespans and — every so often — one of them winks out forever. As I texted another former member now living in Los Angeles, I am mostly sad today because, while it was with us, the department helped thousands of patients and changed a whole bunch of lives, including my own. I hope the opportunities we had lives on somewhere else for those who follow.
Farewell MPVFD/MPFD, and thank you for everything.
Barry Brownstein, Columbus
Columnist pointed out the positive and I appreciate it
What a refreshing op-ed by columnist Jonah Goldberg in the Opinion section of Saturday's Dispatch: “Things actually are getting better, globally and at home”!
Thank you for a positive article, rare these days. There really are good things happening to make this a better world. Keep the positives coming.
Donna Brown, Gahanna