56 years of dedication; Tom Knaggs steps down

“Lum” Fire Chief turns over reins to the younger guys

 

LUM — Once a Lum firefighter, always a Lum firefighter.

After nearly six decades of being a member of the township’s fire department, Tom Knaggs is calling it a career.

“When I first started, I was asked to be a Lum firefighter. Not Arcadia Twp. There were just six or seven of us at the time,” Knaggs recalled.

“Even though we are officially known as the Arcadia Twp. Fire Department now, I still say I am a Lum firefighter. Forever.”

No more missed birthday parties for Knaggs. No more missed holidays or family gatherings. No more getting up in the middle of the night for fire calls.

The firefighter who has committed his life to his community can rest easy and now let “the younger guys” take over.

Knaggs, 83, is believed to be the longest serving fire chief in the township’s history, after 56 years of service to the Arcadia Twp./Lum Fire Dept. His last day on the departmentwas the end of March. Captain Brian Lee will move up in rank, after being selected to fill the void of the Chief’s position.

Knaggs was honored Wednesday evening during a meeting of the Lapeer County Fire Association. Prior to their business meeting, the Association and Township Board honored Knaggs for his dedication.

Before becoming Chief, Knaggs was assistant fire chief twice, 1977 to 1981 and from 1995 to 2002. As Fire Chief since 2002, Knaggs has been heavily involved with his community, leaving a legacy that is sure to be appreciated for years.

Under his leadership, the department has been successful in landing nearly $1 million in various grants to help purchase new fire apparatus, fire gear and other needed equipment.

His firefighting journey started when he joined the fire department in October 1969. Since then, he has dedicated his life to helping others make the Arcadia Twp. (Lum) Fire Department the best it could be.

Knaggs was one of the key figures that worked to get a badly-needed addition on the existing fire hall and saw his work become reality just last year when the department’s new addition to the fire hall got underway.

“The addition is really nice. Gives us so much more room,” the retiring Chief explained. “Everyone worked hard to make it happen.

An open house will be held Saturday, April 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to celebrate completion of the fire hall expansion.

Although they have had as many as 20 members on the department, currently there are just 13 members. “We’re a close brotherhood of firefighters dedicated to providing service to the community,” Knaggs said proudly. “We have great people on the department. You get to know them well, because we’re all part of a bigger firefighter community. We spend a lot of time with one another, and you grow close. I’ve always enjoyed that, and will miss it too.”

Newly appointed Chief Brian Lee says he will miss Knaggs, but plans to still seek advice from the former chief from time to time.

“He’s been the backbone of this department, for sure,” Lee said. “With his leadership, we have been able to accomplish a lot of good things. Got new trucks, new turnout gear and expanded the hall. Chief gave the department everything he had and we appreciate him so much. He will be greatly missed.”

Both men agreed that the fire service has changed many times over the past several decades.

“When I first started, there was no fire gear,” Knaggs recalled. “No boots or coats or helmets. You just went to the fire in your street clothes and did what you had to.”

The retiring chief recalled his first fire call.

“It was a structure fire. A barn that was burning pretty good,” he said. “I showed up in regular clothes and street shoes and I learned in a hurry how to drive a fire truck. Then, I was taught how to operate the truck. It was quite an experience.”

He went on to recall, “It got in my blood…the urge to help other people and it’s still there today. I’m just getting too old to keep up with everything.’

Knaggs says he would not be where he is today without the support of Shirley, his late wife of 40 years, as well as Marie, his wife these last 12 years.

Family is important to Knaggs, and in his retirement, he hopes to spend more time with his daughters, Sherry and Lisa, his two grandsons, and his many stepchildren and step-grandchildren.

He also enjoys hunting and fishing and being in the outdoors as much as possible.

“I will miss the department and the community,” said Knaggs. “I’ll still be around and may help during the day time. But, no more of that middle of the night stuff.”

He continued, “The community has been great, always supportive of the department and spaghetti dinner fundraisers and other things. We put on a Halloween program for kids and their families. We have a lot of fun doing that. We like to give back to the community.”

At another recent gathering honoring Chief Knaggs, State Sen. Kevin Daley, R-Arcadia Twp., presented a proclamation signed by Daley and State Rep. Jaime Greene, R-Richmond, for his service to the community.

Members of the department will be hosting two more fundraisders in the coming weeks to help raise money for the expansion of the fire hall.