Nationally recognized fire chief retires

By Megan Erbacher
The Evansville Courier & Press

EVANSVILLE — To be a good firefighter, it takes willingness to sacrifice and give up your private time to do things for people that you don't know, said retiring German Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief John M. Buckman III. But he said it also takes more to be effective.

"Other than sacrifice, you've got to have a willing family who is willing to give you up," Buckman, 60, said. "Because the reality is that my girls didn't see me a lot, and their mother raised them very well … that's a tough one, but you've got to have a family that's willing to sacrifice as well."

Family, friends and co-workers gathered Sunday afternoon at an open house celebration at the German Township Fire Station to congratulate Buckman on his retirement as fire chief. He joined the department in 1970, and served as fire chief for 36 years. Buckman is currently the branch chief of the Indiana Firefighter Training System, Indiana Department of Homeland Security in Indianapolis.

Full story: German Township Fire Chief Buckman's passion for job still burns