Firefighting is more than just a job

Monday was a great day for two local families. The Norwalk Fire Department hired two new firefighters, and both live in Norwalk. Erik Hansberger is a 2011 graduate of Western Reserve High School who lives on Zenobia Road. Matt Starcher is a 2014 St. Paul High School graduate who lives on Whittlesey Road. Both were full-timers with the Tiffin Fire Department, but both are coming home. And to say firefighting runs through their families would be an understatement. Hansberger's grandfather is a retired fire chief from New York. His brother, Charlie Warthling, is a volunteer with the Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department and a fire instructor at EHOVE Career Center. Starcher's dad, Jamie, worked for the Norwalk Fire Department for 25 years and is a volunteer with the Milan Township Fire Department with his son. Jamie Starcher is involved with the fire program at EHOVE Career Center and with firefighter training throughout the area. Jamie Starcher and Charlie Warthling are both part of the FOOLS — the Northern Ohio Fraternal Order of the Leatherheads Society. In fact, the FOOLS participated Tuesday morning in the funeral for Steve Shupp, 52, who passed away last Wednesday. Shupp was a law enforcement officer for many agencies and served as a member of the New London Volunteer Fire Department and Firelands Ambulance Service. Firefighters are all one big family. For Jamie Starcher, watching his son follow in his footsteps is "very exciting." "I am just proud of all the work he has done to get to this point," Jamie said. "He has paid for all of his training to this point and has worked hard. I am extremely proud of him. "It's just awesome. It's hard to put that into words." Jamie and Vickie Starcher have two other sons. Owen works logistics for a trucking company and Gaven is a junior at Toledo University studying engineering and is a pitcher on the baseball team. Dad said raising a family as a firefighters is tough on everybody. "It's definitely a lifestyle," he said. "Your whole family is involved. "You are living with another family at the firehouse sometimes half of your life. That is something a lot of people don't realize ... how much the family sacrifices. I missed a lot of games. Missed a lot of family events. A lot of holidays you miss. A lot like other jobs but you still sacrifice." But he would have it no other way. "I was sworn in on Feb. 8, 28 years ago," he said. "Bob Bores was the chief and Louis Frey was the mayor. "They gave me the gift of a lifetime," Starcher said. "They hired some hillbilly out of Greenwich." Well, that "hillbilly" did pretty good for himself. He retired a couple of years ago after 25 years with the department. Starcher has shoulder problems and that affected his performance, he said. "I did not retire early ... earlier than I wanted to," he said. "If you can't help other people you should not be doing that job. You need to be 100 percent and at your best." He is still a volunteer with the Milan Township Fire Department where he started in 2006. "I was on both departments for quite a few years together," he said. "Another great opportunity to learn the business from the volunteer fire department angle ... the dedication of those guys is second to none. "Ted Crawford was the chief and Jim Jessberger was assistant chief. They gave me the opportunity and I appreciate it." Tuesday was Matt Starcher's first day on the job in Norwalk. And while his job has changed, his living arrangements have not. He still lives at home with his parents. Will the new job mean a raise in the room and board on Whittlesey Road? "They up it every month," Matt said with a laugh. "It's a different number every month." Joe Centers is Reflector managing editor. He can be reached at jcenters@norwalkreflector.com.