Veterans find new ways to serve as volunteers in Montco fire companies

Firefighters across Montgomery County went from serving their country to serving their communities as volunteers in the local fire companies.

Many of them find similarities between the two types of service. In honor of Veteran’s Day, Montgomery County Fire Chiefs Association and www.montcofirefighters.org  are happy to spotlight veterans around the county who volunteer at their local fire company.

Once security for President Bush, Joe Hoffman serves in Abington Township

A casual conversation with a neighbor seven years ago led Joe Hoffman to his journey as a volunteer firefighter at Abington Fire Company. As a fellow Marine, his neighbor explained the similarities between the military and firefighting, which ultimately sparked Hoffman’s interest in joining.

“Volunteering as a firefighter was another way I could serve those in need,” said Hoffman, who served as military police from 2004-2012. “My uncle was a Marine and after 9/11 I knew I wanted to do something to help protect my country.”

Hoffman had a unique experience in the military; he served as a security guard for U.S. President George W. Bush. Although his role was incredibly serious and at times stressful, it gave him the opportunity to travel around the country and around the world.  He visited Germany, France, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Mexico and the majority of the United States, including Camp David and the President’s Ranch.

Now, he is active at Abington Fire Company. Not only does he fight fires, but he performs inspections as the foreman of fire apparatus, serves on the township’s Technical Rescue Team and acts as secretary for the company. His professional background as a banker helps with his responsibilities such as processing deposits and fund drive donations.

“Working a corporate job is inherently boring to me,” said Hoffman. “Volunteering as a firefighter brought back a sense of excitement. Not only is it physically demanding, but I never know what type of call is going to come in. There’s never a dull moment.”

Paul Radetzky always wanted to be a firefighter

Thanks to his background as an auto mechanic, Paul Radetzky was assigned as a colonel’s driver and mechanic in the U.S. Army in 1971. Later stationed in South Korea, Radetzky was assigned as a general’s chauffeur. Similar to serving in today’s volunteer emergency services, he was on call 24 hours a day.

“There are a lot of similarities between the fire service and military service. Both are very structured and organized,” said Radetzky. “I came into the fire service with a deep understanding of the chain of command because of my experience in the military.”

Radetzky had always wanted to “ride on the big red trucks” but little did he know when he joined Rockledge Fire Company, it would turn into something more.

“There’s a lot of self-satisfaction when you’re helping people on the worst day of their lives, whether it’s saving someone in an auto incident trapped in a vehicle or putting out a house fire,” said Radetzky. “Your community needs you.”

On top of pride and self-satisfaction, volunteering is a way to create long-lasting friendships. Even though Radetzky is no longer an active firefighter, he serves on the board of directors and is the chairman for the company’s fund drive.

“Members do more than fight fires together,” said Radetzky.  “I consider my fire company a second family.”

Every Christmas Eve, he joins fellow volunteers as they drive Santa Claus in the fire truck around the community to wave to neighborhood kids. The volunteers also hold car shows, fundraisers and during COVID-19 they rode by people’s houses on their birthdays and anniversaries.

“I would estimate that 95% of my friends are the fellas I volunteer with,” said Radetzky. “I’ve been to their weddings, been there when they started having kids and watched the kids grow up to join us as active members of our fire company.”

Richard Lengel serves as deputy fire marshal

To say Richard Lengel is dedicated to protecting his community is an understatement. He started volunteering at Good Will Fire Company when he was 14 years old as a junior firefighter. Throughout the years, he has served as a volunteer firefighter, EMT, medic and he worked as a police officer for 27 years before retiring as chief of police in Lower Pottsgrove Township.

On top of serving his community, Lengel served his country as an aircraft firefighter for four years. One of them he spent in Vietnam.

Now, he teaches others the skills he’s learned as an instructor for the Montgomery County Fire Academy teaching aircraft awareness, fire investigation, and fire police skills.

“I love to impart knowledge to others, but at the same time, when I teach my students, they teach me,” said Lengel.

He retired from his role as Pottstown Fire Department Chief but still serves as the Deputy Fire Marshal, only responding to major fire investigations.

“Volunteering could lead to a future career in emergency services,” said Lengel. “Volunteers are one of the keystones to keeping our communities safe. We need support and we need people.

District 8 Commander, John Otte, oversees 16 VFW Posts

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is an organization created to foster camaraderie and advocate on behalf of all United States veterans. As the Senior Executive of VFW District 8, John Otte, U.S. Army veteran, represents the district at the state level. He manages a staff of fifty volunteers and is the financial manager for sixteen VFW locations. He also volunteers as a firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician at the Fire Department of Montgomery Township.

“I am the senior leader of VFW’s programs including recruiting patriots and community service. I am an avid speaker at Veteran’s Day ceremonies and the state council of administration,” said Otte. “This is a 100% volunteer position.”

Otte always had a passion for service. He joined the military when he was 18 and served for 21 years. Starting as a staff sergeant he rose through the ranks, ending as military police officer and forensics investigator.

“At 18 I was too young to go into law enforcement so I went into military law enforcement,” said Otte.

After serving as military law enforcement and a combat veteran of Operation Desert Storm, Otte was discharged and shortly after he joined his local fire company.

“The fire department is a paramilitary organization. What I love about the fire company is what I loved about the military: the comraderie, common bond, life-long friendships,” said Otte. “We all have each other’s backs.”

“Volunteering is about putting service before self,” said Otte. “Military veterans are excellent volunteers because they understand the need for service, but anybody who has the want or desire to help their community, can do it.”

“Veteran’s Day is an opportunity for us to highlight the amazing volunteers within Montgomery County fire companies who also served our country,” said President of the Montgomery County Fire Chiefs Association George Wilmot III.

Those interested in serving their community by volunteering at their local fire company can sign up at www.montcofirefighters.org.