(PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
COMMUNITY … Former Fire Chief Matt Smithmyer stands with a group of Firefighters, EMTs, and Paramedics from the Lyons-Royalton Fire Department.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Lyons-Royalton Fire Department recently held a special celebration to honor former Chief Matt Smithmyer, recognizing his ten years of leadership and 25 years of overall service to the department.
Although Smithmyer has officially stepped down from his role as chief, he will remain a part of the department as a volunteer firefighter.
The public event served as a heartfelt tribute to Smithmyer’s dedication to the community. Guests gathered to hear remarks from fellow department members, including Jennifer Coopshaw, President of the Lyons Fire Department Association, and Paramedic Angie Zeigler.
Light refreshments and cake were available throughout the event as attendees celebrated the contributions of a man who has long been a steady and respected presence in the community.
Smithmyer, reflecting on his career, shared that the role of chief had been a journey of learning and collaboration. “The past ten years has been quite the learning process. It was really just jumping in with both feet,” he said.
“I had a lot of good guidance from other fire chiefs at other departments that helped me when I had questions or concerns.
The area fire chiefs helped considerably during my tenure, and hopefully I could now pass on my experience to whoever would have a question or two.”
In addition to his 25 years with the fire department, Smithmyer served 31 years with the sheriff’s office, which also came to an end following retirement from that department as well.
“I figured 31 years at the sheriff’s office and having been on the fire department for 25 years means I have given a lot to the community, and I decided it was time to step back a little bit and focus a lot on family.”
Despite stepping down as chief, Smithmyer emphasized that he still plans to serve where he can, and that he is grateful for what everyone has done.
“I feel a little humbled. I am going to continue to stay on the fire department as a volunteer. Not as an officer anymore, just to continue to help the community. But humbled that they felt the need to do this for me.”
The ceremony marked a moment of gratitude and admiration for a leader who guided the department through a decade of growth, change, and challenge.
While the white hat has been passed on, the impact of Matt Smithmyer’s leadership will continue to be felt within the department and the wider Lyons community.