News
Captain Dennis Waldbillig Retiring After 43 Years Of Fire Service
Deerfield Township, Warren County, OH: Deerfield Township Fire Rescue Captain Dennis Waldbillig will retire October 5, 2018 after 43 years of public service.
Growing up in a family steep in tradition of the fire service Waldbillig initially began his career in high school as a cadet for Sharonville Fire Depart in 1974 helping maintain equipment and fire hydrants, including the rebuild of a 1952 Mack firetruck. In 1975 Waldbillig officially became an active volunteer firefighter/EMT. The next summer in 1976 started as a security officer at Kings Island. During that time he completed training to become a Warren County Special Deputy and was grandfathered in as an EMT.
In 1978 Waldbillig became a certified full time firefighter working work the City of Sharonville Fire Department. The next year in 1979 he became a certified Fire Safety Inspector, Fire/EMS Instructor and a Paramedic that following year. Was promoted through the ranks to Captain in 1993 earning the first ever Firefighter of the Year award given by Sharonville.
During his career Waldbillig worked part time for Springfield Township Fire Department, West Chester Fire Department, Lebanon Fire Department and the Mason Deerfield Joint Fire District.
Along this storied history Waldbillig holds certifications as a Fire Officer II, Fire Investigator, Building Inspector, Hazardous Material Technician, and Rescue Technician. He served on the Hamilton County Arson Task Force and still rides as Duty Officer for the Greater Cincinnati Haz Mat Team. He currently serves on the Warren County Rescue Team and Fire Investigation Team, Hamilton County Search and Rescue Team, and Ohio Task Force One as a Safety Officer. Aside from countless rescues in and around Ohio he was deployed to multiple disasters throughout the United States including Hurricane Rita in 2005. As a fire investigator he has been responsible for over 300 investigations. Even appearing in federal court as an expert witness on the behalf of the ATF.
Waldbillig’s most proud accomplishments of his tenure is his Instructor Certification. Through the course of instruction through the Ohio Fire Academy, Scarlet Oaks and Warren County Career Center Waldbillig has taught roughly 10,000 students. Countless Firefighters, Emt’s, HazMat techs and Fire Inspectors currently serving throughout the region have been most likely been in one or more of his classes. In fact, during one of his first classes his roster included his mother, father two brothers and sister. When it came time to take the final Waldbillig had to take his youngest brother home to babysit because everyone else was taking the test. That little brother is now a bomb technician.
Some of the most memorable emergency calls for Waldbillig include being on the first in hose line for the house he grew up in. He and his brother were burnt in the Diversey Chemical fire. In the 80’s at a bowling alley fire when the roof nearly collapsed on him just after he pushed his crew out the front door. During his first multi alarm as a cadet at the Howard Johnson’s he assisted in a scene wide rescue of nearly 55 people.
When the City of Mason and Deerfield Township elected to split the fire department into two self-sustaining entities on October 1, 1998 Waldbillig was one of the first few career members hired. He has served the community with pride and distinction since. As the primary inspector he has ensured the safety of the residents and visitors working and shopping in Deerfield.
“It is very rare to have a person with his expertise in such a variety of disciplines. Waldbillig’s vast knowledge and willingness to teach others will be greatly missed.” Fire Chief Chris Eisele states. He is undoubtedly one of the contributors that left the department better than when he started.
Captain Patrick Strausbaugh will be assuming the duties of Deerfield Township fire inspector. “Waldbillig was my Fire Safety Inspector instructor nearly 20 years earlier. It has been an honor to serve under his leadership.”
About Deerfield Township Fire Rescue: Deerfield Township Fire Rescue protects approximately 35,000 residents & 19.5 sq miles in Southwestern Warren County Ohio. Close to 100 Firefighters all crossed trained as EMT’s or Paramedic make over 4,000 responses each year. Our services are operated from three fire stations, utilizing two Engine Companies, one Ladder, a Heavy Rescue and three front-line Medics. Fire Chief Chris Eisele and one Battalion Chief oversee the day to day operations of 20 on duty personnel.
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