2-15-2025 7:08pm

A Combined 118 Years Of Experience Came To An End At The Salem/Morrow Fire Dept.

Beth Callahan Editor

Captions Richard Oeder and Ralph Blanton along with Chief William Harrison have one last photo with their department during their retirement party.

WARREN COUNTY, OH -- Salem/Morrow Fire Department's Captains Richard Oeder and Ralph Blanton along with Chief William Harrison were greeted by family, friends, co-workers and elected officials during their Open House Retirement Party on Thursday February 13, 2025.

Over 300 people came out to show their respect, give their thanks and to celebrate with the three men who have a combined total of 118 years of experience in the Fire and EMS world. Oeder, who began serving on the department back in 1978 at the age of 35, holds 47 of those years, while Blanton has 43 years and Harrison has 28 years of service with the department.

Oeder explained that the reason the three chose to retire at the same time, they knew they were "leaving the department in great hands."

"Actually, Ralph was the first to decide to retire, then the Chief," Oeder explained. Then, he decided since the department was in "great hands" it would be "an honor to be able to retire with these two great men."

Along with their friends and family, Dr. Earl Brooks, President of Trine University in Indiana where Oeder graduated from and sits on the board, Senator Steve Wilson of District 7 and State House Representative Michelle Teska came to thank the men for their service and dedication to their community.