Station 2 name rewards chief’s ‘bang-up job’

Dennis Spears, Centerville’s retired fire chief, knew something was unusual when he saw the town’s council room packed with Centerville Fire/Rescue members. 

Those volunteers, along with Spears’ relatives and neighbors, witnessed the unveiling of a new sign dedicating Fire Station #2 as Chief Dennis Spears Station 2. They gave Spears a standing ovation.  

Council unanimously approved the naming during its regularly scheduled work session on Tuesday, July 30. 

The red sign on the U.S. 40 station, just east of Round Barn Road, was installed Thursday, Aug. 1.  

After 45 years of service to the volunteer department and 23 as chief, Spears had to retire from CF/R a few months ago when health issues unexpectedly developed. He’s been undergoing physical therapy while recovering from a hip procedure as well as immunotherapy for treatable, but incurable cancer.

“Remember that the end may come quicker than you’re ready for it,” Spears advised those attending the meeting.   

Spears, who juggled full-time work with his many volunteer commitments until recently, said he’d been hoping to attend a council meeting because he needed something to do. 

As chief for many years, Spears attended nearly every council meeting or work session and provided updates about fire and medical services provided, requested money for expenses, and heard what other town departments and organizations were doing.  

When his wife encouraged him to accompany her to the work session, Spears said he was glad to go. 

However, when he saw nearly every seat filled — and many CF/R friends in the audience — his curiosity increased. 

“I figured something was up when everyone was here,” said Spears, who noted his gratitude for those attending to honor him. He said he didn’t serve for the recognition. 

Although many strong bonds are formed through volunteer fire service, Spears also has many biological family ties to the department. 

After some reflection, his family counted at least 18 relatives who are current or past firefighters, and Spears is one of three previous chiefs in his family. 

Spears said he’s beginning to pop into the fire stations occasionally and wants to contribute again when possible. 

“I might hang out there once in a while,” Spears said. 

During a heavy storm in June, he helped with radios.

“Whenever it storms like last night, I might come back and laugh at you,” Spears said to chuckles from the audience about the previous night’s tornado, severe thunderstorm and flash flood warnings across Wayne County.   

Centerville Police Chief Ed Buchholz said he misses regularly spending time with Spears. 

In years past when Centerville’s police department was smaller, many times Buchholz would be the only officer responding to a second-shift call. 

He’d often see Spears sitting across the street, responding even when he wasn’t asked, “just to make sure I was OK and if I needed anything.”

Buchholz said CPD has tried to reciprocate as much as possible, and that he and Spears started combined training for the two departments. 

As he helped fellow councilor Gary Holbert unveil the sign, Jack Bodiker said Spears did many tasks over the years to help the town that weren’t his job. 

Bodiker said he didn’t have enough vocabulary words to fully describe “what this man has done for this community.”

Holbert said Spears deserves the honor and that his lifelong friend has done “a bang-up job” of leading CF/R.

Council President Dan Wandersee said beyond responding to emergencies, Spears has donated countless hours to organize or support food drives, new festivals and other community events. 

After the meeting and many posed photos with family, CF/R colleagues and council members, Councilor Josh Tudor led a prayer over Spears. 

Council appointed Andy Aughe as chief in March. In addition to learning a great deal from Spears when he was CF/R’s leader, Aughe said Spears remains a valued mentor to him and has made his transition much easier. Aughe said he appreciates Spears’ continued willingness to discuss fire department issues and let him bounce ideas around.