By Nathan Pace
InkFreeNews

Travis Rowland

WARSAW — Learning from his father led Travis Rowland to a career lasting 30 years as a firefighter in Kosciusko County. Rowland will retire this month from the Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory.

“My dad (Dennis Rowland) was a volunteer at Claypool for years,” Rowland said. “I would go with him to meetings and working on trucks.”

Upon graduating from Northwestern Business College in Ohio, it didn’t take long for his dad to put him on the duty roster.

“I got back from college and he was hey ‘Here’s your stuff,’” Rowland said.

Learning from his father set the stage for Rowland to want to pass down knowledge to young firefighters as well.

“You get to a point where you really enjoy it. There are some things that you don’t enjoy but working with different guys and the different things you can do on a daily basis, you can just make a career out of it,” Rowland said.

Most of his time as a firefighter has been with the Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory, and he has also been with the Claypool Volunteer Fire Department.

Warsaw-Wayne fire station 15 located at 620 W. CR 200S, Warsaw, will host a retirement celebration for Rowland. The festivities run from 4-6 p.m. Friday, July 12.

In addition to his father, Rowland said there are numerous people who he has to thank for getting him to where he is.

“There are multiple of multiples of people,” Rowland said. “Pass along the stuff that you were passed on to by some of the guys before you. Try to pass that along to the generation coming in; some of the older guys, who have worked at Warsaw over the years. You put that in your mind and your toolbox to pass along to some of the younger guys.”

Rowland has a degree in diesel mechanics. He has utilized this knowledge in finding the right firetrucks for his department.

“I oversaw purchasing and building of the new trucks and the equipment that goes on them. Visiting other departments, asking them what they like and don’t like about it. How they build it. Then we were able to put all the puzzle pieces together when we were building a couple of our trucks,” Rowland said. “You don’t just go to the firetruck store and buy one. It’s not like going to your local Chevy deal and buying a pickup. There’s all different types of options.”

With retirement upcoming, Rowland said he is excited to spend more time with his wife, Jenny. He cites the time away from home as a reason why 30 years is enough.

“You’re away from your home and your family. It’s a really good schedule. Most of the guys have a part-time job on the side, which I do too. I farm on the side for a gentleman here in Warsaw.”

One aspect he will miss the most are community events and interacting with children, who are excited about firefighters.

“When we do the kids’ programs and go to the schools over the years, I don’t know what it is. It is something I’ve enjoyed doing and kept doing it,” Rowland said. “It’s just time to hang up the stuff for now and try to do something different.”