Paul's Tribute

   YORK COUNTY FIRE SCHOOL

330 EMIG ROAD
   YORK, PA 17406
   Phone: (717) 767-4097 Fax: (717) 764-3243
EMAIL: PC@YORKCOUNTYFIRESCHOOL.ORG


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Activist, Leader, Icon

Paul L Schaefer

York County Fire School Director

From 1978 to 2003

May he rest in peace, June 19, 2006

On Monday June 19^th, 2006, York County lost one of its Giants. Retired Chief and Former Fire School Director Paul L. Schaefer passed away after a tough fight with an illness. Director Schaefer helped change the world and in that process positively affected many lives in and around York County. His love for Fire and Emergency Services directed his life. That passion led him to become the Giant of a Man that he was.

Activist; this may not be the first word that comes to mind when thinking of Paul L. Schaefer, but it should. It was Paul’s activism, along with a group of his peers that brought forth the York County Fire School. His firm belief that the Fire and Emergency Responders of York County deserved a training facility where they could learn and practice their life saving skills was unshakable. He and his peers worked long and hard to educate elected officials and businessmen that investing in a trained Fire Service would yield positive results. Results like lives saved and property protected and an overall better quality of life for the people of York County. Paul believed in training, he recognized the challenges we had and could see the ones coming and knew to be prepared to face them. Quality training was the key.

Leader; there was no doubting this. Paul served as a leader in his home town (Emigsville, Pa) Fire Company, Alert Fire Company #1, Manchester Township, Sta. 24. He held the office of Chief at Alert Fire Company # 1 for thirty-eight years and was still active with Station 24’s group at the time of his death, serving as a member of the Board of Trustees. His Leadership did not stop there. Paul was a tireless worker. He believed there had to be a better way of doing things. Paul would not hesitate to seek out new ideas, sift through them, and, if they had merit in his mind, bring them to us here in York County. His Twenty-five years of leadership at the Fire School established a legacy. A legacy that supports our work at the Fire School today and into the future. Our motto at the Fire School is, “Preparing for tomorrow’s Emergencies.” To do this it takes leadership. Director Schaefer was at the tip of the spear, pushing the envelope of training, making sure we had what was new, up to date, and on target. a model we continue to follow and improve upon today. Evidence of Paul’s efforts to see that Emergency Responders were prepared to give the residents and guests of York County quality service can be seen throughout York County and the surrounding areas.

Icon; a figure larger than life, an image that represents the type. This was Paul Schaefer. Upon his passing more than one person made reference that Paul was an Icon. People like Ron Moore, noted extrication teacher and author, a man who knew Paul, commented on his passing as the loss of an Icon. Mr. Schaefer physically embodied the Fire Service. For years he was the man to go to in York County. He led the fight for improved training, he was a strong advocate for a Hazardous Materials team, he cared what kind of Fire Protection people had and was not afraid to let people know it. Paul ate, slept and breathed the Fire Service. It would be easy to believe that his blood flowed like water through an attack line! His larger than life personality and his passion for for the Fire Service he loved made him a Giant, a leader, an activist, an Icon

Paul’s passing was not a line of duty death; his days of Active Fire Fighting had long since passed. Instead, I would like to think of Paul’s life as a Line of Duty Life. One where he devoted all he had to improving the Fire Service. He gave his all, all the time and the Firefighters, residents and guests of York County all live better, safer lives for what he gave us.

Now, It is up to us to carry on. It is our time to stand upon the shoulders of the Giant, Paul Schaefer. To take the torch he has passed and to lead others as he has led us.

Paul L Schaefer’s burial place is in the cemetery next to the Quickel Lutheran Church, in Manchester.