BY KEVIN ALDRIDGE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MASON -- Mason Fire Chief Billy Goldfeder knows how to build a winner.
It was under his guidance that the Mason-Deerfield Joint Fire District rose to prominence in Warren County during its three years in existence. The joint district dissolved at midnight Wednesday. Now that Mason's new fire department is operating, the biggest challenge the 43-year-old chief faces is letting go of the past.
"(The break-up) was a little emotional, no one can deny that," Chief Goldfeder said. "It may not seem like a big deal to most people, but we put our hearts into that fire department. And to see it go down the way it did is a tragedy.
"But (firefighters) deal in tragedy every day," he said. "You just have to take it and you move on."
Caught in the middle of a war between governments that could not get along, Chief Goldfeder always maintained his focus on providing top-notch fire protection to both Mason and Deerfield residents. "No matter how emotional things got, servicing the residents always came first," he said. "As firefighters, we can't afford to get caught up in the politics of all this. Not when people's lives are depending on us."
Hard work
Chief Goldfeder spent many days and nights away from home preparing for Thursday's debut of the Mason Fire Department.
Despite the obvious differences the split with Deerfield Township produced in manpower and equipment, Chief Goldfeder said most city residents probably won't miss the joint district at all.
"If the residents enjoyed the joint district, then they are going to fall in love with the new Mason Fire Department," he said. "And we are intent on continuing that romance, because we love serving the residents of this city.
"We are committed to excellence in how we deal with our employees and the public," he said. "We are committed to excellence with regard to the type of equipment that we have and the quality of service we provide."
The Mason Fire Department staffs eight full-time employees and 80 part-time firefighters - paramedics. Chief Goldfeder said only 10 of the department's hirees were not employees of the joint district.
"I think the fact that so many chose to remain with the city of Mason is a testament to the type of operation we are putting together," he said.
Zach Vanlieu, a part-time firefighter - paramedic, said he chose to stay with Mason largely because of his relationship with Chief Goldfeder.
"Chief Goldfeder is the best chief I've ever worked for," Mr. Vanlieu said. "I have a lot of respect for him."
Stephen Pegram, deputy chief, said if not for Chief Goldfeder, he likely would not have landed in Mason.
"He's the whole reason I'm here," Mr. Pegram said. "He's a true professional and we have a good working relationship." Chief Goldfeder was born in Chicago but raised in Manhasset-Lakeville, N.Y. Firefighting has always been in his blood -- even though it was never in his bloodline.
The son of a textile manufacturer, Chief Goldfeder became fascinated with firefighting at age 4, after meeting a volunteer fireman. "I've never wanted to do anything else since that day," he said. "I've dedicated my life to this profession."
Chief Goldfeder, his wife of 18 years, Sheri, and three children, Amy, 16, Danielle, 15, and Brian, 11, moved to Mason in 1995 when he accepted the job as chief of the joint district. He began his career as a firefighter in 1973 with the Pennington, N.J., Rescue Co.
The department has a $2.1 million budget, funded by a 5-mill levy passed in August.
"Delivering services to the residents is our top priority," Chief Goldfeder said. "I think people will see more concentrated services since we are dealing with a smaller coverage area than the joint district was. We will be even more involved in the community, especially with schools and businesses. And there will be even quicker response times."
