Newgent leaving legacy of service in retirement from GFD

With the words "Honor, Courage and Commitment" emblazoned on the ax handle, retiring Greencastle Fire Chief Bill Newgent (right) receives the fire department keepsake from John Burgess, his successor as chief, during a retirement reception Tuesday afternoon at the Greencastle Fire Station. Newgent, whose last official day with GFD was Friday, Jan. 22, leaves the department after 16 years as chief and 23 years overall.

His name synonymous with local fire service for nearly a quarter-century, Bill Newgent hasn't just been a fixture in the Greencastle Fire Department.

He's been instrumental in statewide fire service advancements and important in the aftermath of such catastrophes as the Henryville, Ind., tornado and the East Coast devastation left behind by Hurricane Sandy.

To Greencastle and Putnam County, he's the soft-spoken, ever-dedicated, incredible shrinking man with the killer smile.

To those who have worked with and alongside him around Indiana and across the country, he's even more than that.

More than District 7 commander. More than incident commander at Henryville.

"If you really wanted to know what value, leadership and principle is, all you need to do is work with this guy," Goshen Fire Chief Dan Sink said of Newgent Tuesday evening during a retirement for reception for him at the Greencastle Fire Station.

In a surprise presentation, retiring Greencastle Fire Chief Bill Newgent (right) is given the Indiana Fire Marshal's Meritorious Service Award from Indiana State Fire Marshal James L. Greeson during a ceremony Tuesday afternoon at the fire station. (Banner Graphic/ERIC BERNSEE)

Equal praise came from Dale Henson, president of the Indiana Fire Chiefs Association, a group Newgent has presided over in the past. And from Hoosier Burn Camp president and retired Seymour Fire Chief Fred Hines for the work Newgent has done with and for his organization.

In a surprise ceremony Tuesday, Indiana State Fire Marshal James L. Greeson presented Newgent with the Indiana Fire Marshal's Meritorious Service Medal.

"Bill is a true leader in fire service in the State of Indiana," Greeson said.

Newgent has also been "very significant"is seeing a local ordinance concerning structures become a model for the state.

And the Indiana General Assembly, Greeson said, is currently considering House Bill 1392, which calls for placards on structures for emergency response.

The bill provides that Class 1 or 2 structures receiving building permits after June 30, 2016, and containing engineered lumber roof trusses or floor joists, or both, must have a placard concerning the trusses or joists affixed to the structure. It also requires 911 call centers to maintain information concerning properties with engineered lumber roof trusses or floor joists, or both, to be used for purposes of dispatching units of public safety to the property.

That, Greeson said, will be part of Bill Newgent's legacy.

"You make lives safer for people who live in this state and firefighters who go into those buildings," the state fire marshal praised.

Serving 23 years as a paid Greencastle firefighter, the last 16 as chief of the department, Newgent said he knew early on he wanted to be a fireman.

"I had the desire to be a firefighter when I was real little," Newgent noted. "My dad (the late John Newgent) used to bring me up to the fire station and I remember there's a photo of me playing Atari with Bobby Leonard."

Newgent , who started in the fire service as a Greencastle volunteer in 1988 and then joined the Madison Township Volunteer Fire Department in 1989, isn't leaving that love behind. He plans to continue to serve the community as a Greencastle reserve as well as staying active in the area fire district.

"The community has given so much to me," Newgent said, "it only feels right to give back as a volunteer."

He also thanked his family, wife Tammy, son Johnny and daughter Nicole, for "allowing me to do what I love the last 23 years."

Newgent plans to work alongside them now, with two family businesses in operation -- JTN Services, an emergency vehicle lighting business, and JTN Outdoor power, a lawn and garden sales and service enterprise featuring Exmark mowers.

A public reception Tuesday for retiring Greencastle Fire Chief Bill Newgent (center) provides longtime friends Monty and Vicki Montgomery a chance to chat and congratulate Newgent, who will continue to serve the community as a GFD reserve firefighter while operating two family-owned local businesses as well. (Banner Graphic/ERIC BERNSEE)

The retiring chief also had praise for the firefighters he has worked with throughout the years.

"It's been a privilege working with you all," he said.

"Our department has come so far over the past 23 years," he said in a memo to the department that new Fire Chief John Burgess read to the reception attendees. "I truly have worked with the most dedicated professional and prideful men and women in the fire service. The citizens of Greencastle and Putnam County are truly blessed to have each and every one of you serving and protecting them each and every day.

"Just always remember that this is not a job, it's career, and you truly make a difference in peoples' lives every day."