Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory Battalion Chief Mike Brubaker retired on Friday, Aug. 18, after 21 years with the department. A party was held for him then at WWFT Station 2 at which his family, friends, co-workers and others were present. From left: Brubaker’s father-in-law Ed Mahin; Brubaker’s mother-in-law Rachelle Mahin; Brubaker’s brother-in-law Kevin Mahin; Brubaker’s sister-in-law Judie Mahin; Brubaker; Brubaker’s wife Christy Brubaker; and Brubaker’s brother-in-law Keith Mahin.
Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — Warsaw City Councilman Jeff Grose has personally seen Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory Battalion Chief Mike Brubaker on the job.
“My family, we had a house fire a few years ago and he was one of the last firefighters with me at two, three, four in the morning … helping me,” said Grose.
Grose was one of several individuals who praised Brubaker at a retirement party for the latter held on Friday, Aug. 18, at WWFT Station 2. Brubaker retired that day after 21 years as a Warsaw firefighter, including four spent as fire chief.
Brubaker was the second WWFT battalion chief to retire this week, with Brooks Huffer stepping down on Aug. 17 after 34 years as a Warsaw firefighter.
Family, friends, co-workers and others came out for the party Friday.
Among them was Brubaker’s former boss, Mike Wilson, who served as fire chief after him.
“He did an excellent job at creating a very positive morale in the fire department (as chief). He made it extremely easy for me to come back as fire chief and follow in his footsteps,” said Wilson. “We worked together quite well as a team, and he went back to captain and moved right back up to battalion chief, and the things that he has done for this department have been outstanding. The community’s very proud of him, and so am I.”
Warsaw City Council President Jack Wilhite has known Brubaker since Wilhite first joined the council around eight years ago.
“It’s obvious by the way his men treat him .. what they think of him … I think he’ll be greatly missed,” said Wilhite. “He’s definitely a leader in this department.”
During a small ceremony at the start of the party, WWFT Chief Brian Mayo read a statement from Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer, who was unable to be at the event.
“Mike served as fire chief for almost four years, and from his leadership, had a significant impact on the department,” read Mayo from it. “Mike was a boots-on-the-ground chief. He could prepare budgets and manage employees, but his passion was commanding on the scene and response. He was loyal, but not afraid to engage me with his opinions and stand up for the department.”
“Most notable as chief, he was responsible for instituting the battalion chief positions in the department to lead shifts,” Mayo continued to read from Thallemer’s statement. “Mike is a constant family man and a friend to all who have known him. Throughout his career, he has been an exemplary leader, commanding the respect of his peers, utilizing practical, compassionate and a no-nonsense approach to his departments. Valuing the quality of his leadership and the depth of his knowledge and on behalf of the community, I tried to talk him out of retirement. I knew it wouldn’t work, but it made me realize how impactful his career has been.”
“Mike, your retirement is well-deserved, thank you for service,” the end of Thallemer’s statement said. “The Warsaw-Wayne Township Fire Territory is a better department, and our community is safer because of Mike Brubaker’s leadership and service.”
Mayo then made a statement of his own.
“So today we’re here to gather to honor … Battalion Chief Mike Brubaker who has dedicated 21 years of his life to the service of our community,” he said. “As he steps into retirement, we celebrate not only his years of commitment but also the profound impact he’s had on our organization and the countless lives he’s touched … His retirement marks a new chapter in his life, one where he can reflect on his accomplishments and look forward to the next phase that comes along. We all know you’re going to be working locally and only a phone call away, which will be good for me, but it’s still on your terms. You get to come and go whenever you please.”
“And while you may be leaving the every third day routine, know that as a retired member of this department, we’ll look forward to seeing you whenever you have time to stop by,” Mayo added. “On behalf of the entire department, the city of Warsaw and Wayne Township, I extend my deepest gratitude to Battalion Chief Mike Brubaker and his family for their selflessness, dedication and service. Thank you to the Brubaker family for letting us have him for 21 years. Congratulations, Mike.”
Mayo then gave Brubaker a decorative clock and a fireman’s axe in a case.
Brubaker then spoke and got a little bit emotional.
He gave advice to his co-workers, encouraging them to “stay focused (and) continue to serve.”
“Know your place because you were called,” added Brubaker. “We’re a family. We always will be … Remember what you were called to do … Don’t focus on the politics of politics. Do the job you were called to do and never forget that and you’ll never go wrong.”
Brubaker started as a volunteer firefighter with the Pleasant Township Fire Department in Wabash County in 1992, before joining the Warsaw fire department in 2002.
He said while on WWFT he enjoyed preparing for his job and then using that training.
“The best (thing) … is when a person is having a bad day, we can go there and bring order to that chaos, and we can do it in a very, very professional manner, and that’s the best part of the job to me,” he said.
“I will miss the family of individuals that work here. I will miss helping the individuals in this community, and that’s the tough part of it,” said Brubaker.
He said he won’t miss getting only a few hours of sleep and having to work weekends, spending time away from family.
Brubaker said he plans to work for G&G Hauling & Excavating, which he had done before on days off from the fire department. His new role will be safety coordinator.
Brubaker, sixth from the left, poses with members of WWFT’s C shift.
WWFT Chief Brian Mayo, left, presents Brubaker with a fireman’s axe in a case.
Brubaker also received this clock.
A look at Brubaker’s cake.