Fire Chief Ray Friend is putting up his Fireman’s hat after 53 years on the Antwerp Fire Department.
Ray has spent his whole life in Antwerp from the time he was brought home from the hospital. Ray just turned 75 years old this month and he believes now is the time to set aside the position for younger blood.
Ray became chief on July 1, 1987, when times were a lot different. Back then you could be on the force with only T&I training every three years. Now, says Ray, you need 36 hours of class just to be a volunteer in addition to having 54 hours every three years which turns out to be about 18 hours per year.
The new fire chief is Bob Addis for the Antwerp Fire Department.
Ray graduated high school in 1962 and signed up to be on the waiting list for the volunteer fire department. On August 1, 1964 Ray and his wife, Anita (Foust) were married. Ray was able to finally join the force on February 2, 1966. Out of high school, Ray started working at Klopfenstein’s in Leo laying carpeting and flooring. Ray worked from 1962 to 1966 in Leo, and then switched his employment to working for Andy Schilb in the furniture and flooring business where Ray’s dad, Acey Friend, worked. On January 1, 1978 Ray purchased the business and it became Friend Furniture and Flooring. Several years ago he decided change the business to be exclusively in flooring, changing the name to Friend Flooring.
Ray and Anita have three children: Jeff, Tom and Diana and 6 grandchildren. Tom has been on the force for 27 years in Antwerp. There have been three generations of Friends on the force in Antwerp. Acey started in 1949 and was on the force for over 30 years when he retired in the early 1980’s.
While on the force at Antwerp, Ray said they averaged about 30-40 fires per year. There have been eight deaths: 2 in mobile homes, 1 in a house fire and 5 in motor vehicle accidents (this does not include the 2007 Squad 41 devastating accident). His first fire was a toaster fire at Wentworth and Washington Roads. His worst fire was the River St. Market back on January 26, 2016 that burned for several days. The coldest fire was in Paulding at Gillen Oil (Boyd’s Automotive is located there now).
“I am grateful because of having good firemen on the force, a good council and a good mayor.” Ray continued, “My job would not have been easier if my wife would not have been 100% behind me.” Fires are not scheduled and so you do have to sacrifice family time, holidays or other events when these emergencies happen.
Ray was the first Chief to bring females onto the force. Right now there are four women on the department.
The Antwerp Fire Department is always looking for new recruits, whether male or female – both are needed!
Ray has concluded his career as currently the longest serving chief in Paulding County. Congratulations and thank you for your service Ray!
