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In February of 1976, a young and enthusiastic
Rod Hewitt joined the Templeton Fire Department.
Over the past 30 years Rod has responded to hundreds
of emergencies, often times having to get up in the
middle of the night or leave a social/family event. |
rural area of Lake Nacimiento and came upon a vehicle over
the side of the road. Acting alone, he broke into the vehicle
and assisted the trapped victim by providing 1stAid until
other emergency personnel (who he had contacted) arrived at
the scene. Chief Hewitt received a commendation for his life-saving
actions from the Templeton Community Services Board of Directors.
Rod has seen the community of Templeton grow significantly
over the years. When the Services District was formed in 1976,
Rod served as a member of the Board of Directors, helping
lay the groundwork for a water distribution system which is
one of the best in the County. Rod’s memorable calls
include the Feed and Grain fire in 1979, the fire that burnt
down Hope and Larry’s Bar and the fire at Jack Allen’s
lumberyard. As the result of being a member of the fire department,
Rod also participated in non-emergency activities that the
fire department sponsored, including Halloween hot dog give-a-ways,
Easter egg hunt (coloring 200-300 dozen eggs) and, of course,
the now famous 4th of July pancake breakfast.
While Rod is deserving of much credit and recognition, it
would be inappropriate if Laura, his wife of 30 years was
not also recognized for her sacrifices which permitted Rod
to respond night and day, and spend time away from home attending
training sessions, fundraisers and other community events.
Often times Laura has been at Rod’s side assisting in
these activities.
For over 30 years Rod operated a pump installation/repair
business out of the family’s hardware store at 5th and
Main, just one block from the fire station. In 2004, due to
demands of the fire department as the result of the growth
of the community, Rod became a paid member of the Department
working part time assisting with required inspections, maintenance
and training within the Department. Since its establishment
in 1909 the Templeton Fire Department has relied on community
volunteers to protect lives and property. Members include:
Fire Chief Greg O’Sullivan, Assistant Fire Chief Rod
Hewitt, Captains Mike Erb, Kurt Pennington, Tom Peterson Engineers
Dave Tice, Tony Cappelluti, Tony Futch, Steve Barckley, Johnathan
Gibson, Fire Fighters Kyle Coffman, Joe Franzone, Faith Estrada,
Joseph Gibson, Joshua Gibson, Brandlyn Gosselin, Troy Lovell,
Marcus Smith, Scott Reynolds, Jay Short, Frank Sprague, and
Tom Stead.
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Growing up Rod worked at his family’s hardware store,
just one block from the fire station where, as a young boy,
he would hear the siren, which alerted the volunteers that
they had an emergency, and he would run out to watch the fire
trucks speed by. It was this early memory that drove Rod to
become a member of the fire department.
Rod recalls being by far the youngest member when he joined.
Other members on the department at the time included: Jack
Allen, Bob Tullock, Mel Fredrickson, Lloyd, Neal and Chuck
Holloway, Arlin Gambel, Al Wilhoit, and Chief Dave Kaiser.
In those days there was very little formal training required,
but Rod does remember being taught 1st Aid by Fire Chief Dave
Kaiser’s mother. In the early 80’s Rod s u c c
e s s f u l l y completed the necessary training to become
one of the first Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) in the
County.
In 1976 there were no dispatch services a v a i l a b l e
t o Templeton, so when a call for help came in, it was telephoned
and answered at either the fire station (if someone was there),
at the Fire Chief’s home or at Hope and Larry’s
Bar. Firefighters were notified by activating a large siren
that could be heard throughout the community.
For Rod not all calls for help were generated within Templeton.
One such incident occurred in 1998. Rod was in a |
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