43
Passion fuels firefighter’s lifelong dedication
Photo
Neighbors | Submitted .Western Reserve Fire District's Edwin Chinowth is currently serving as chief emeritus and senior advisor for the station. He graduated from Poland Seminary High School in 1954.
Photo
Neighbors | Submitted.Poland's Edwin Chinowth (right) drives a 1927 Cosmopolitan fire truck carrying passengers during a summer parade. The truck belonged to the Poland Fire Department and was donated to the Canfield Fair.
Photo
Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Poland resident Edwin Chinowth has been a part of the Western Reserve Fire District for more than 50 years. He retired in 1998, but couldn't stay away from his call to be a fireman.
By SHAIYLA HAKEEM
For some, fighting fires is just a job. For others, it’s their destiny.
Poland resident Edwin Chinowth has been an active participant with the Western Reserve Joint Fire District for more than 50 years. At age 74, he is still going strong.
Chinowth’s connection to Poland began when he moved to town as a 4-year-old in 1940. His father was a firefighter at the then Poland Village Fire Station which Edwin said had its benefits.
“We used to be able to get out of school and help to fight grass fires,” Chinowth said.
He would help his father wash the fire trucks and was always at the station. Being involved with the station at such a young age fueled a desire for the station that would only grow stronger over time.
After graduating from Poland Seminary High School in 1954, Chinowth explored the military life by enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard. He researched the branch and it sounded like something he wanted to do.
“I just thought that was where I wanted to go,” Chinowth said.
While in the Guard, Chinowth took part in a mission that circumnavigated the northern continent by way of the Panama Canal. He said only three American vessels completed the trip and it was the first time it had ever been done.
After serving four years of active duty, Chinowth returned to Poland and the fire station. He said he loved every minute of his time spent in the military, but Poland is where he was meant to be.
“These are my roots; this is where I belong,” he said.
Chinowth became fire marshal of Poland Township in 1968, fire chief of Poland Village in 1978 and carried the title over as the station’s name changed to the Western Reserve Joint Fire District in 1984.
Though Chinowth desired to work at the station, his dedication was tested by cancer.
Chinowth battled cancer on two different occasions. He could have easily relinquished his positions at the station and gave up on volunteering, but he didn’t. He won both battles by sacrificing a left kidney and right lung.
His wife of 49 years, Nancy, stuck by his side through the challenges of his cancer and his station duties. Chinowth said serving his community through the station is his purpose, which is why he still there.
“I think God says that you’re gonna do this until I tell you to stop, so I’m going to do it until he tells me to stop,” he said.
In 1998, Chinowth retired from the station, but just couldn’t stay away. In the same year as his retirement, he was appointed as the district’s chief emeritus and senior advisor. Now, 12 years later, he still holds the titles.
His current duties include conducting inspections, helping with driver training and helping with daytime response calls.
Since Chinowth has been with the station for so long, he is also turned to for guidance. He said he can’t imagine living and not being involved with the station.
“This is just me. I just love the fire service and I love Poland,” Chinowth said.