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Roberts honored for 50 Years of Service

   Written by on November 2, 2015 at 3:37 pm

KENBRIDGE -The Kenbridge Fire Department is lucky to have a great mix of young and veteran members that work together to make for an outstanding department. The group continues to grow and help protect the citizens of not only Kenbridge, but Lunenburg and even surrounding areas.

Kenbridge Fire Chief Dicky Harris is shown with Jack Roberts who was recently honored for his 50 years of dedication and service to Kenbridge Fire Department.

Kenbridge Fire Chief Dicky Harris is shown with Jack Roberts who was recently honored for his 50 years of dedication and service to Kenbridge Fire Department.

KFD recently honored one of their veteran members as Jack Roberts was recognized for his fifty years of active service to the Kenbridge Fire Department.

KFD Fire Chief Dicky Harris stated, “Not many fire chiefs around the country have the honor that I have here tonight to recognize one of our own who has actively and strongly contributed in a countless number of ways to the Kenbridge Fire Department for over fifty years.”
After moving to Kenbridge with his wife Charlotte in the early 1960’s, Jack joined the Kenbridge Fire Department on July 13, 1965. Since that time he has taken well over 1,500 hours training and served as Assistant Chief through the years.

In addition to his work on calls, Roberts has extensive knowledge and work in the construction business. He is noted for his part in helping build the new station for the department and Chief Harris stated, “The station could not have been built without his expertise.”

Roberts is well known for his dedication to the department, a duty he took seriously despite having obligations at home where he helped raise three sons and ran Kenbridge Construction Company. He also was active in the Southside Virginia Volunteer Firefighters Association where he served as one of their Presidents.

He continues his work with the department and still responds to fire calls where his experience and knowledge is essential in a variety of areas, including as a pump operator.

Chief Harris stated, “I personally appreciate the relationship that I have had with Jack over the years in serving with him on both the Kenbridge Town Council and Kenbridge Fire Department. I could always go to Jack with various questions or situations about the department or the town business and he would always have time to discuss the issues and give me his honest opinions.”

An interesting fact that will highlight the commitment and service Jack Roberts has shown to the local department and area is that the average length of service of a volunteer firefighter in the United States is only four years.  With fifty years and counting, he has put in more than 12 times that of the average firefighter.

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