Jack Kraemer’s lengthy involvement with the Shelton Fire Department is based on just one thing — helping people.
One aspect of his assistance ended on Friday as Kraemer retired as the fire department’s records keeper after 20 years on the job.
About 30 people, many of them fellow firefighters, showed up at Kraemer’s office in City Hall to say thanks and wish him well in retirement with a cake and ice cream sendoff party.
Kraemer, 87, decided it was time to let someone else handle the records while he focuses on projects at his home on Ripton Road.
“It feels good,” Kraemer said while accepting handshakes and hugs from well-wishers. “That’s the guys. We’re all just one big family.”
In his office, Kraemer was responsible for making sure firefighters were healthy enough and qualified to fight fires and kept track of equipment and apparatus at the city’s four fire houses.
In addition to training and keeping records, Kraemer has served with the fire department for 65 years, the longest of any Shelton firefighter.
He’s served in several capacities, including as a captain and a fire commissioner.
He’s been on thousands of fire calls and expects to continue helping out as a volunteer because of his love to serve.
“I enjoy helping people,” Kraemer said. “The biggest pay you can get from people is by helping them out.”
Fire Chief Francis Jones saluted Kraemer for his work.
Although Kraemer is leaving, Jones said the senior member probably knows more about firefighting than anyone else in the department.
“Jack would still run circles around most 27-year-olds,” Jones said.
Along with the cake and ice cream, Kraemer was also given an old fire alarm box, which he plans to place prominently in a trophy case.
Mark Connolly, a fire commissioner, said Kraemer has taught just about every firefighter in the department about what it takes to do the job.
He’s stayed so long because of “his love and dedication for helping people and serving others,” Connolly said. “He taught me about perseverance and to not give up.”
