By Nancy A. Fischer
Buffalo News (New York)
Copyright 2007 The Buffalo News
All Rights Reserved
NIAGARA COUNTY, N.Y.— One of Niagara County’s hardest-working volunteers will receive a state honor this summer for his longtime service as both a firefighter and a community leader.
Finding something noteworthy that Warren J. Rathke hasn’t had his hand in might be easier than listing his many contributions to community service. But after family and faith, Rathke says, his volunteer fire service is “right up there.”
This year Rathke, 82, was chosen from more than 30 nominees across the state to receive the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York’s Fire Service Community Achievement Award.
Rathke is a former chief for the Wrights Corners Volunteer Fire Department and is an active member still helping fight fires. Rathke’s good friend Ed Case, who nominated Rathke, said they had to “pull teeth” to bring him back from Florida a few weeks ago to share the news of his award at the Wrights Corners firefighters banquet.
But Case laughed at any suggestion that Rathke was a retired snowbird.
“Relax? Not Warren. He’ll never retire. Warren was working for the Red Cross, helping victims of fires. He is a relief organizer. He spent months and months helping Hurricane Katrina flood victims. Oklahoma City, Florida, wherever someone needs assistance from the Red Cross, Warren is there,” Case said.
Case, a member of South Lockport Volunteer Fire Department, said he served on several state committees with Rathke.
“He’s no spring chicken, but if anyone does work, it’s Warren. I love him like a father. The work he does for others, there’s no one better for this award,” Case said.
Rathke said he has devoted his career to volunteer fire service, but not for awards.
“I was very overwhelmed. This came as a complete surprise,” he said.
He said volunteer work grows on you. “It’s so gratifying to be out there and help people and see what good you can do. I encourage others to volunteer,” Rathke said. “I look at this acknowledgment as a way to open people’s eyes to others. Maybe they’ll get involved.”
County Clerk Wayne F. Jagow, a longtime friend of Rathke’s, serves as chaplain for both Wrights Corners and the state association. He will present the award Aug. 23 at the association’s annual convention, which this year is in Buffalo.
"[Warren] has always had something on his plate. He’s a smorgasbord of activity,” Jagow said. “I can’t keep up.”
He said that the whole Rathke family has been involved in community service and that Warren is the type of person who pulls others into service.
“He roped me in, but it was wonderful -- bingo chairman, field days -- you get to be a part of your community,” Jagow said.
Rathke’s lifelong service included duty in the Navy during World War II. After he returned home, he began his fire service and went on to hold almost every local office, including chief from 1958 to 1959 and again from 1967 to 1969, and president from 1976 to 1977.
In 1969, he became the deputy fire coordinator and fire instructor for Niagara County and in 1978 was named county fire coordinator, where he also worked as director of emergency services. He held the dual position until he retired in 1997.
Jagow said that Rathke started the Arson Task Force and Case added that as communications director, he came up with the Enhanced 911 system for the county.
In addition to his Red Cross service, Rathke is also an active member of the Sunrise Optimist Club in Lockport and has served as a Newfane councilman.
“His nomination was 17 pages long,” Case said.
“Warren was pushed out front” to accept the recognition, Jagow said, “but he is a symbol of all that is good in fire service. Firefighters as a general rule are involved in many community activities. [This award] helps us renew ourselves and our dedication to volunteer spirit. That’s the point of this award.”