Italy Fire Chief Donald Chambers retires after 37 years of service

Image: Fire Chief Donald Chambers and Mayor Jackson display the cake — Italy Fire Chief Donald Chambers is honored with a retirement reception hosted by Mayor Frank Jackson and fellow City of Italy employees.

Fire Chief Donald Chambers and Mayor Jackson display the cake — Italy Fire Chief Donald Chambers is honored with a retirement reception hosted by Mayor Frank Jackson and fellow City of Italy employees. (Barry Byers)

Image: Congratulations Chief Chambers — Even if the cake had candles, Italy Fire Chief Donald Chambers would have just put them out anyway.

Congratulations Chief Chambers — Even if the cake had candles, Italy Fire Chief Donald Chambers would have just put them out anyway. (Barry Byers)

Image: Special helmet for a special Chief — One of Chief Chambers’ favorite gifts was on display during the party. The one of a kind fire helmet was used as the center piece for the decorations.

Special helmet for a special Chief — One of Chief Chambers’ favorite gifts was on display during the party. The one of a kind fire helmet was used as the center piece for the decorations. (Barry Byers)

Image: What a gift — Chief Chambers was given this helmet by members of the Italy Fire Department when he celebrated his 30th year of serevice.

What a gift — Chief Chambers was given this helmet by members of the Italy Fire Department when he celebrated his 30th year of serevice. (Barry Byers)

Image: Nice spread — The city employees went all out in preperation for Don’s retirement reception.

Nice spread — The city employees went all out in preperation for Don’s retirement reception. (Barry Byers)

Image: Happy Retirement! — Best wishes were offered by everyone who attended Don’s retirement reception.

Happy Retirement! — Best wishes were offered by everyone who attended Don’s retirement reception. (Barry Byers)

Image: Weeeeoooo! Weeeeoooo! — Weeee will all miss oooo, Chief Chambers!

Weeeeoooo! Weeeeoooo! — Weeee will all miss oooo, Chief Chambers! (Barry Byers)

Image: The wall of flame — Chief Chambers with pictures of his crews in action decorated the Council Chamber’s walls during the reception.

The wall of flame — Chief Chambers with pictures of his crews in action decorated the Council Chamber’s walls during the reception. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Firefighter’s prayer — The Firefighter’s prayer sums up Italy Fire Chief Donald Chamber’s career the best.

The Firefighter’s prayer — The Firefighter’s prayer sums up Italy Fire Chief Donald Chamber’s career the best. (Barry Byers)

Image: Mark Souder signs card — A card to sign, a photo album and a picture of Don and his lovely wife Kay greeted well wishers as they entered the party.

Mark Souder signs card — A card to sign, a photo album and a picture of Don and his lovely wife Kay greeted well wishers as they entered the party. (Barry Byers)

Image: Fire Chief Don Chambers reflects — Italy Fire Chief Donald Chambers will have many amazing memories to look back on now that he has retired from city service.

Fire Chief Don Chambers reflects — Italy Fire Chief Donald Chambers will have many amazing memories to look back on now that he has retired from city service. (Barry Byers)

Image: Thanks, Don! — Many of Italy’s citizens arrived to thank Don for his 37 years of dedicated service to the city.

Thanks, Don! — Many of Italy’s citizens arrived to thank Don for his 37 years of dedicated service to the city. (Barry Byers)

Image: Don’s first fire coat — Memories were everywhere in the Italy City Council Chambers as Fire Chief Don Chambers officially retired from city service. That’s not really Don’s first coat.

Don’s first fire coat — Memories were everywhere in the Italy City Council Chambers as Fire Chief Don Chambers officially retired from city service. That’s not really Don’s first coat. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ready to go! — As if he were heading to the scene of a rescue, Chief Chambers is ready to get his retirement party started.

Ready to go! — As if he were heading to the scene of a rescue, Chief Chambers is ready to get his retirement party started. (Barry Byers)

Image: Supporting the Chief — The Council Chambers were filled to capacity with warm hearts, laughter and great memories.

Supporting the Chief — The Council Chambers were filled to capacity with warm hearts, laughter and great memories. (Barry Byers)

Image: The farewell speech — Don gave his farewell speech and thanked everyone for their support through the years…and then he ate cake like it was nobody’s business.

The farewell speech — Don gave his farewell speech and thanked everyone for their support through the years…and then he ate cake like it was nobody’s business. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kay Chambers — Mrs. Chief, Kay Chambers, talks over old times with Mayor Frank Jackson.

Kay Chambers — Mrs. Chief, Kay Chambers, talks over old times with Mayor Frank Jackson. (Barry Byers)

Image: Heartfelt praise — Don was overwhelmed with appreciation at his retirement reception Thursday evening.

Heartfelt praise — Don was overwhelmed with appreciation at his retirement reception Thursday evening. (Barry Byers)

Image: Larry thanks Don — "That away to “cowboy up” Chief!" Larry Norcross thanks Don for his 37 years of service and congratulates him on his retirement.

Larry thanks Don — "That away to “cowboy up” Chief!" Larry Norcross thanks Don for his 37 years of service and congratulates him on his retirement. (Barry Byers)

Image: Chief to Chief — Italy Police Chief C.V. Johns wishes retired Italy Fire Chief Don Chambers the best of luck.

Chief to Chief — Italy Police Chief C.V. Johns wishes retired Italy Fire Chief Don Chambers the best of luck. (Barry Byers)

Image: Use a pike pole for tongs — I hope that apron is fire proof. If that doesn’t work, Don can always grill while wearing his old bunker gear.

Use a pike pole for tongs — I hope that apron is fire proof. If that doesn’t work, Don can always grill while wearing his old bunker gear. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gag gifts — Actually, Don, the mints might come in handy.

Gag gifts — Actually, Don, the mints might come in handy. (Barry Byers)

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