| Hello, My name is John Wilkinson Sr I am the Chief of Lake Dreamland Fire Department. I have been a member of the This Department for 45 years , Two of those as a junior firefighter. I joined because this is a tradition in my family, My father was a member in 1947 But gave the Utimate Price and Died in the Line of Duty in 1950. My entire family is connected to the department. My son who joined in 1985 is an Officer on the department and my wife has been a member of the ladies auxiliar since 1967 and My sister from 1953 till 2006 until her passing. Being a member of this department has been a great attribute to my life i have meet some of the finest people in the world and this community.
In 1993 I was appointented by the Board of Trustees as Chief of the Lake Dreamland Fire Department, I set a goal to do my best job i could and put my best foot forward along with my own expectations I wanted to see happen with the department, also to bring us current and help develop our department for the future, Since then we have purchased some of the best equipment money could buy for the firefighters and the community. I and the Board of Trustees have a great working relationship and together have Complete 95% of my goals. One of my goals was to start a fulltime staff, In October of 2000 the Board of Trustees Approved and hired 4 personel fulltime. This was a great success for our community as for the department.
As the Chief it has become more difficult to run a Career/Volunteer Department. Years ago the good old boys showed up when they heard the firehouse siren to help their community. Today we have pagers and radios, Now some of the same good old boys and girls show up but times have changed with laws, codes and liability the department must function different. I am very proud of my staff that makes this department function so well. I have always been a very active member as my members will attest. I have seen several Serious fire and explosions along with accidents where my men and women who are my heros would not give up till the job was done and safe for the community.I feel one of the greatest honors is to be a Volunteer FireFighter who does so much for his community and ask nothing in return! |
