Longtime fire investigator retires
NORWICH – The Chenango County Bureau of Fire recently retired one of its most experienced fire investigators. Carl Chawgo served the county for over 26 years.
“I really did enjoy it, but I figured it was time to get out of digging holes and running around at all times of the night,” said Chawgo, who is now 66.
At the time of his retirement, Chawgo was Supervisor of Fire Investigation. He began as a volunteer at the South New Berlin fire department and rose through the ranks, also becoming Deputy Fire Coordinator for the county.
“I was Supervisor of Fire Investigations. We got called out to help investigate fires where the causes couldn’t be determined to see if we could find one. We always got called out to investigate a fatality or an explosion. They were a good group of guys,” said Chawgo.
The Fire Investigation Unit which Chawgo supervised was comprised of 12 certified level II Fire Investigators. They assist other local fire departments when a cause or origin can not be determined. They also are responsible for responding to all fatalities, suspicious fires and explosions.
Chawgo says he had hundreds of hours of training and estimated he responded to thousands of calls. He recalled one of his more gruesome memories; responding to a Pharsalia fire a few years ago where three children and one adult perished. “You want to try and not remember when some things happen,” said Chawgo.
Chawgo said, “My last advice? The problem with the fire organization today is that there is no dedication from the younger generations. People in general seem too busy with their own lives to volunteer and help out and that’s too bad for everyone.”
“I really did enjoy it, but I figured it was time to get out of digging holes and running around at all times of the night,” said Chawgo, who is now 66.
At the time of his retirement, Chawgo was Supervisor of Fire Investigation. He began as a volunteer at the South New Berlin fire department and rose through the ranks, also becoming Deputy Fire Coordinator for the county.
“I was Supervisor of Fire Investigations. We got called out to help investigate fires where the causes couldn’t be determined to see if we could find one. We always got called out to investigate a fatality or an explosion. They were a good group of guys,” said Chawgo.
The Fire Investigation Unit which Chawgo supervised was comprised of 12 certified level II Fire Investigators. They assist other local fire departments when a cause or origin can not be determined. They also are responsible for responding to all fatalities, suspicious fires and explosions.
Chawgo says he had hundreds of hours of training and estimated he responded to thousands of calls. He recalled one of his more gruesome memories; responding to a Pharsalia fire a few years ago where three children and one adult perished. “You want to try and not remember when some things happen,” said Chawgo.
Chawgo said, “My last advice? The problem with the fire organization today is that there is no dedication from the younger generations. People in general seem too busy with their own lives to volunteer and help out and that’s too bad for everyone.”
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