Breathitt’s Senior Firefighter Honored

The entire thing took a little work, but somehow members of the Jackson and Vancleve Fire Departments pulled off the surprise.

Firefighters from both departments honored Raymond Heater, Breathitt County’s oldest active firefighter, on his eightieth birthday with a party on Monday, January 19.

Heater, his wife, Rachel, and his daughter, Heidi, joined the firefighters to mark the special occasion.

Records indicate that Heater was a founding member of the Vancleve Fire Department when it was organized at the Iron Skillet Restaurant in 1987.  He was elected the Engineer for the new organization, and he later served several years as Assistant Chief.

In 2003, Heater was elected Chief and has held the position for twenty-three years.

“I was doing a lot of the work and helping out,” Heater said during the celebration.  “After Chief Elmer Terry passed away, Rachel encouraged me to take the position.”

Heater was certified as a firefighter in 1989 after completing more than 150 hours of training.  He has maintained his service and training hours every year since.

The event featured a dinner in Heater’s honor and a special birthday cake.  He was presented with a special gift from the firefighters.

“Everyone appreciates Raymond,” Jackson Fire Chief Chase Deaton said.  “He is a true community servant.”

Heater smiled and laughed as he told stories from his firefighting career and thanked those who planned the party and joined him to celebrate.

He thanked his wife, Rachel, who encourages and supports him as he serves at the fire department.

“It has been an up and down road,” Heater said.  “I have enjoyed the fire service.”

Now in his thirty-ninth year as a firefighter, he is the county's oldest active firefighter and rarely misses a run.

He estimated that he had answered more than 1,000 fire and rescue calls as Chief.

During his party on Monday, he was asked whether he had thought about retiring. 

“I’ve thought about getting out or retiring,” he said.  But then he smiled and questioned if he could really walk away from it.

“I am not sure I can leave it alone and step away,” Heater said.  “I guess I will continue for at least a little bit longer.”