MONROE CHARTER TWP., MI — Thousands of Monroe County kids—and adults—know Capt. Calvin Schmitt.
For 38 years, “Firefighter Calvin” from the Monroe Charter Township Volunteer Fire Department has been the township’s full-time fire inspector. He also offers fire prevention programs at local schools, bringing along his “Calvin’s Toy Box,” filled with burnt toys.
On July 31, Schmitt is retiring from his fire inspector job and from fire safety presentations. At 65, Schmitt said the amount of work required is starting to take a toll. But, he plans to continue fighting fires, as he’s done for 47 years.
“Fire calls, that’s what I did before I became an inspector. I’ve enjoyed it,” Schmitt said. “As long as I see I’m capable, valuable and able, I want to continue to do that.”
“I think he would go nuts without something to do. He brings a lot of knowledge to the table. We don’t want to lose that experience,” said Schmitt’s son, Lt. Austin Schmitt, a third-generation firefighter.
In 1948, Calvin’s dad, Foster J. Schmitt Sr., helped start the Monroe Township Fire Department. Foster is listed on the Michigan State Firemen’s Memorial in Roscommon.
Firefighter Calvin’s presentations
Calvin Schmitt graduated in 1979 from Monroe High School. That June, he joined the Monroe Township Fire Department. For about nine years, he also worked at local banks.
“Chief Larry Merkle had the opportunity to hire me in as the first full-time fire inspector. It was Feb. 15, 1988. I remember that date,” Schmitt said.
His fire safety program quickly grew out of his new job.
“I designed and built the fire prevention program to what it’s become today,” Schmitt said. “The majority of the toys came from an apartment fire at Greenwycke. A child started a fire in his bedroom. From that, the toy box began.”
Other toys followed, including a doll and a kitchen set. They all came from fires started by local kids playing with matches and lighters.
“They are great visuals. They are items kids are interested in,” Schmitt said.
With his toy box, Schmitt visited many Monroe Township area schools. Some classes came to the fire station for a tour and lesson.
“Adults approach me and remember me. I was getting my wife’s oil changed. An adult male said, ‘You’re Firefighter Calvin.’ I have several stories like that. Adults say they remember the burned toys. They remember the stop, drop and roll,” Schmitt said.
“My wife says he’s like the mayor; everybody knows him,” his son said. “We don’t get out of Meijer without him having to stop and talk.”
But, Schmitt didn’t go just to schools. He visited senior centers with a different box of props, including an overloaded and melted extension cord. Schmitt showed seniors how to use a fire extinguisher. He showed them how to safely stop, drop and roll.
He believes the classes are working.
“Fires in general have been on the decline. Part of that is juvenile training. I like to think that (my class) was memorable. Years later, meeting children that recognize you and remember the program, that makes it valuable. Maybe that’s a part of their everyday life,” Schmitt said.
Inspecting fires
One of Schmitt’s first fires to investigate was a room fire at Motel 7.
Since then, he’s kept a running list of the fires he’s investigated. He’s up to more than 900. He qualified twice as an expert witness in court.
“Kid calls are always tough. Fatal fires are difficult. I’ve experienced all of that. My first fatal fire was a male I went to school with,” Schmitt said.
While some fires have obvious causes, Schmitt said the cause of others cannot be determined, including the large 1989 fire at the Monroe Shopping Center.
“It still remains undetermined,” Schmitt said.
The fire inspector job also includes tasks like fire code enforcement and inspecting food vendors’ set-up at events like the Monroe County Fair. Schmitt also started an in-house training division at the fire station. He’s a member of the Monroe County Critical Incident Stress Management Team and is on the Monroe County Child Death Review Board.
Through the years on the job, Schmitt has fallen through floors, was hit by a car and was bit by three dogs. With Chief Merkle, he once rescued a dog that had fallenl 40 feet into France Stone Quarry. Schmitt later adopted the dog and named him Rescue.
What’s next for Schmitt and the school fire safety programs?
“I haven’t really planned anything,” Schmitt said. “Each day will be an adventure. I’ll be involved around (the fire station) some.”
Schmitt’s wife of 35 years, Lori, is still working. He plans to spend more time with family, including son Austin and his wife, Annie; daughter Kylie Schmitt; and granddaughter Charlie, age 5. He also enjoys searching for old fire memorabilia. He has more than 2,000 pieces.
Schmitt’s fire inspector job, school programs, even Calvin’s Toy Box will go to Sgt. Scott Pancone, who’s been with the fire department for seven years. Three years ago, Pacone joined Schmitt in fire inspection.
“I never saw myself as an inspector. I came in and shadowed Calvin for one day. I’ve never not enjoyed coming to work since I’ve been here,” Pancone said. “I’m going to miss this guy.”
“Scott is going to do well,” Schmitt said. “He’s going to carry the torch.”
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: After 38 years, ‘Firefighter Calvin’ saying goodbye to school programs
Reporting by Suzanne Nolan Wisler, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
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By Suzanne Nolan Wisler, The Monroe News | USA TODAY Network
