Retiring firefighter willful fill chaplaincy role

In August 2015, Mark Kempker, at right, stopped by for a visit with 93-year-old Joe Ferrell, a Hannibal firefighter circa 1940. The two perused a fire department scrapbook, and talked about how firefighting changed over the years. Ferrell started at the fire department prior to graduating from high school. The department needed “sleepers,” and hired high school boys to spend the night at the downtown station. If a call came in, the teens went on the run and lent a hand. File photo by Mary Lou Montgomery

MARY LOU MONTGOMERY

When Mark Kempker turns in his fire gear in on Monday, after nearly 21 years with the Hannibal Fire Department, he will assume a new - albeit volunteer - role within the department: that of chaplain.

“When we have big events, I’ll be there to help assist our young men and women in uniform,” Kempker said, “to steward them through a good career, or on a bad day. In the fire service, sometimes we (as firefighters) have a better ability to talk to someone who understands” the uniqueness of the profession.

His role as chaplain “will give me an opportunity to have an ear, for one of the men or women who are struggling. That is our main mission.”

When Kempker started with the department, and all through his career, he has possessed a deep faith. As a member and Elder at Oakwood Christian Church, he sometimes fills in at the pulpit when the pastor, Tom Day, is on vacation. “I enjoy doing it,” he said.

Kempker will model this role of chaplain upon the actions of the Rev. Tom Barker, retired minister of the First Christian Church, (Disciples of Christ) who previously filled that position within the department.

“In former times, a pastor would come to big fires, be there for people who lost their house; be that initial liaison between that and the Red Cross. Pastor Barker did a great job, to just be a presence,” in a difficult situation.

“A pat on the back, positive ability you would want out of a chaplain, from someone who doesn’t have initial attack responsibility. You’re there to understand what they are going through, at a large scale event,” Kempker said, for both firefighters and the community.

Retirement plan

Kempker’s long-range plans were to retire from the department in 2025. While he is not ready to announce where his career path will take him, he did say that “I have another position that has come available; in that position the vacancy came open a little sooner than what I expected.

“I’ll still be in the community, and it will be a good role,” he said.

“After 21 years, it is a good time to start a new chapter. For me, God works in mysterious ways. He doesn’t put you anywhere where you’re not supposed to be. I’ll take a little time off, then start another chapter.”

In the meantime, he will maintain the relationships he has built over two decades, as chaplain with the fire department.

“I love this place,” he said.

Training officer

Kempker has served as training officer for the department for the past 6 1/2 years. “I have the best memories, having the opportunity to teach multiple fire academies in-house, building firefighters. I like to think of it as creating good human beings. Whether they stay or go, I’ve had the opportunity to touch their lives.”

He will continue serving on the Salvation Army Advisory Board. “I love the bucket glitch,” he said.

During his tenure with the fire department, “I took over the role of historian,” Kempker said, I dove into history of the department to see where we came from.”

Also during his tenure, the department was raised from ISO Class 4, to Class 2. “We rank in the top 1 percent of fire departments in the country,” he said, based upon components such as response times, how many fires, how much time it takes to get somewhere, and what kind of equipment you have.”

He takes special pride in introducing retired firefighters to new hires.

“I am proud to know the old firefighters; our boots go through the same ash. We can honor them by continuing the mission. The tools may have changed, the tactic might have changed, but the fortitude hasn’t changed.”

Firemen who have been retired for 20 years, interacting with new hires, “it keeps the history alive,” he said.

“I am going to be retired as of Feb. 2,” he said. “The last day I’m going to work is Saturday *Feb. 1) at the teen safety fair. One of things I really enjoy doing, is passing on safety tips to our youth.

“I’ll turn my equipment in on Monday and we’ll say it was a good run.

“It’s tough to take a fireman out of his work. It’s a tough decision to make. For me it was a timing issue. I prayed about it; you know what, I’m good. You know when to go. It’s my time, and my opportunity move into different chapters.

“I’ve had a good run. It’s time for another young man to come in and make it great. That’s the exciting part, to see what someone else can do.

“People say silly things; this is truly the best job ever. It’s the best job I’ve ever had and I love it. You can’t beat it.”

Mark Kempker, right, escorted Fire Pup to visit students at Veterans Elementary on Valentine’s Day, 2018. “Roll through life,” Kempker said, “don’t be so uptight; be open to change. Take the positive side out of this change.” Kempker will turn in his fire gear on Monday, following nearly 21 years with the Hannibal Fire Department. File photo by Mary Lou Montgomery.