Baldwin City Gets a New Fire Chief and Truck

Photographer Kevin Surbaugh

Residents from all over the city of Baldwin City gathered and to celebrate the new fire truck recently purchased by the city for the volunteer fire department. However, the ceremony started off with a promotion ceremony of one of their own.  Terry Baker, who has been a volunteer on the department for the past nine years, and the Assistant Fire Chief for the past year and a half, was recently elected by his peers as the new Fire Chief.  Baker, steps into the role previously held by Allen Craig, who retired last month after 35 years as the cities chief.  Baker said, he never expected to be chief and that he was honored.  During the ceremony his wife and kids came forward to pin his lapels and badge on him. He was then sworn in by Mayor Marilyn Pearse.

Marlee Demott (yellow shirt) helped hose
down the new firetruck.
Photographer Kevin Surbaugh

Afterwards, the ceremony focused on the new truck which the council had approved earlier this year. The 1993 truck was purchased from a department in Minnesota and is expected to last the city at lease 10 years.  Pastor Matt Olson, Fellowship Bible Church, prayed a prayer of blessing over the truck.
Those in attendance learned that that the pushing of the truck in stems back to the days of horse drawn wagons. Horses didn't back in to well, so they would unhitch the horses, wash off the horses and wagons and back the wagon in.
The kids were invited to join the firefighters in washing off the truck.Then the council and members of the fire department pushed the truck into service. After which Chief Baker placed the truck into service with a radio call to the county dispatch.

Photographer Kevin Surbaugh

The ceremony concluded with a reading of the Fireman's Prayer.
"Fireman's Prayer"
When I am called to duty, God
whenever flames may rage,
give me the strength to save some life
Whatever be its age.

Help me to embrace a little child
before it’s too late,
or some older person
from the horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert
and hear the weakest shout,
and quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling
and give the best in me,
to guard my neighbor
and protect his property.

and if according to my fate

I am to lose my life,
Please bless with your protecting hand
my children and my wife.

- Author Unknown.