Whitelaw fire chief serves community for half a century

WHITELAW - Fighting fires is dangerous, sometimes deadly work. Many volunteer for it.

"You want to do something for the community, your neighbors, and friends. And if you don't do it, who's going to do it?" said Gene Schneider, former Whitelaw fire chief.

That's what has kept 75-year-old Gene Schneider serving as a volunteer firefighter in the village of Whitelaw.  It's a job he's loved for 52 years.

"Why I stayed on that long? Once you get into it... it's just hard to step back," said Schneider.

He'd probably still be here at the station, if it weren't for a heart condition. But this year, for health reasons, he decided to hang up his gear, forever. It has been difficult, closing a chapter in his life that has been such a big part of it.

"But it was my decision. And it felt good that it was my decision to go," said Schneider.

"Gene has been a mentor to many of the firefighters, a leader of the department, friend to many of the members, and close to a father figure," said Randy Wagner, Whitelaw firefighter.

"And he knew a lot about fires and fire scenes. I learned a lot from him," said Kevin Naidl, Whitelaw firefighter.

And with all of that experience, more than five decades working for the Whitelaw Volunteer Fire Department, Gene says he's seen lots and lots of changes.

"We used to have rubber coats, which were hot in the summer and cold in the winter.  Now, we have a lot better insulation and equipment," said Schneider.

Along with bigger trucks and better equipment, investigating fires is something he watched evolve.

"There was no investigation if you didn't know the cause. Electricity got blamed for a lot of fires that perhaps it should not have. And with investigations, that all changed. That was a big improvement," said Schneider.

"It definitely was a family affair. We worked around dad," said Paula Freimuth, Gene's daughter.

Gene's daughter, Paula, describes her father as the go-to person in the community.

She says he would help anyone, at anytime, with anything.

"I don't think he realizes what he has all contributed to the community and to people's lives," said Freimuth.

"A great leader for the department and community. Everybody really looks up to Gene. That hasn't changed and that won't change," said Wagner.

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