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'Unexpected': Columbia Fire & Rescue celebrates 30-year department veteran

Daily Herald - 11/22/2021

Nov. 22—Steve Secrest spent exactly 30 years and one day serving the Columbia Fire Department.

For his dedication to the local department and a reputation of being an outstanding public servant, the 78-year-old has been awarded the title of 2021 Chief Tommy Hemphill Retiree of the Year.

"It is unexpected," Secrest told The Daily Herald. "I have been retired for a pretty good bit. I know they were giving awards, but I did not expect to get one."

A Tennessee native who spent his youth near the Maury County community of Culleoka, Secrest joined the department long before it changed its name to Columbia Fire & Rescue in 2017. He left long before the change and retired in September of 2002.

He was hired with the city's fire service after serving several years in the U.S. Navy where he worked on fire crews at Naval Air Stations across the country.

"That is what I was suited for," Secrest said. "That is what pointed me to being a firefighter, and I guess it went from there."

The skills he learned in the Navy made him an ideal candidate for the local department.

"We were there to help people in distress," Secrest said. "To save lives and property, I had a lot of friends at the fire service. We were all friends and worked good together. I really enjoyed that part of it."

After two years as a firefighter, Secrest spent the major of his career as an engineer stocking trucks with water and responding to the scene of a disaster.

During his tenure as a firefighter, Secrest established a reputation among his peers for throwing the best traditional fish fries in the department.

He continues to host the gatherings for members of the department as sign of appreciation for their service.

"It was fulfilling," Secrest said, reflecting on his career with the local department. "It was a challenge to be able to do that. We went to school a lot. We spent a lot of time in classes learning. Every day, you go into work, and you don't know what is going to happen. You don't know what might come of it. That was real interesting. You could work through the day and solve problems."

Ty Cobb, chief of Columbia Fire & Rescue, said Secrest's career is deeply entwined with the department's legacy.

"Steve is an outstanding guy," Cobb said. "He served his whole life."

Secrest responded to some of Columbia's most significant disasters, including the city's infamous 1977 fire at the Maury County Jail.

The fire, started by an inmate, led to panic and confusion, causing a guard to lose keys in the cellblock for unlocking a portion of the visiting section, leaving prisons, staff and visitors trapped inside the burning structure.

The disaster took the lives of 42 people, including 34 prisoners and eight visitors. More than 20 were injured.

"He put his life on the line many times to protect Columbia and its residents," Cobb said. "He is just a great person."

Following his retirement from the fire service nearly 20 years ago, Secrest continued to give back to the community taking on responsibilities with Columbia'sAmerican Legion Post 19.

The legion served as a platform for Secrest to assist local veterans in need.

In 2011, he served as commander of the post.

For his ongoing dedication to the people of Columbia and Maury County, Secrest was presented with the 2021 Chief Tommy Hemphill Retiree of the Year Award on Nov. 2.

"It is good to be recognized," Secrest said.

The Retiree of the Year Award was created in honor of the late Chief Tommy Ray Hemphill. It is reserved for those who embody the fire department's core principles of honor, duty, integrity, and trust, values Chief Hemphill was committed to on and off the job his entire life. Chief Hemphill's life and career epitomized what it means to be a true public servant and the Retiree of the Year Award serves to keep his memory alive.

The award serves to continue the legacy of Hemphill who died from a battle with brain cancer in 2017.

"Hemphill's values and leadership are viewed as part of this award," Cobb said.

Reach Mike Christen at mchristen@c-dh.net. Follow him on Twitter at @MikeChristenCDH and on Instagram @michaelmarco. Please consider supporting his work and that of other Daily Herald journalists by subscribing to the publication.

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