“After high school, I decided to give it a whirl,” Lauderbaugh said Monday night at an event celebrating his retirement from Centennial Fire District. “And, here I am, more than 40 years later.”
He started as a volunteer with Centerville Fire Department in January 1978, and retired June 1st with credit for 44 years. The department presented him with a plaque for his service and the Relief Association presented him with a golden axe to commemorate his service.
“I’ve never been one to move towards the spotlight,” said Lauderbaugh, who was also fire marshal in the district during his career.
Fellow firefighters and former chiefs joined the crowd at Centerville City Hall to pay tribute to Lauderbaugh, telling stories of hijinks and fun they had over the years.
“It’s a lifelong friendship you develop with these people because you go through so much as a crew, as a group, as an organization,” he said. “We all had the same goal–we just want to do what’s beneficial for our town and for our cities.”
Now that he’s retired, he has had a difficult time turning off the urge to run to help those in need.
“It’s still difficult to hear the sirens go by,” he said. “it’s kind of frustrating at times.”
But Lauderbaugh wants to put out the call for anyone interested in joining the fire service to do so.
“Anybody who has a few extra hours a week to devote to something should really consider taking a look at the fire service,” he said.
