Retired Fire Chief Bob Koning passed away on May 19, leaving behind a legacy spanning more than four decades of public service to the town. A 41-year veteran of the Carlisle Fire Department, Bob Koning served 25 years as Fire Chief, resigning from his post in 2003. He wore many other hats during his tenure with the town, including 46 years as Electrical Inspector, 27 years as Building Inspector, and Keeper of the Clock at the First Religious Society, a task Koning passed on to his 14-year-old son, Rob Jr., in 1974.
Koning was credited with many accomplishments that improved the safety of Carlisle and the region, most notably building the current Fire Station. Various plans were considered and rejected, including a plan to create a combined Police, Fire, and DPW facility, before Town Meeting agreed to construct the present facility in 1985. Koning said that, at times “it was like pushing a rock uphill.” When he retired as Fire Chief, Koning acknowledged that the garage bays were already full and meeting space was tight, recognizing that the Station would likely need to be expanded in the future.
“The department was sad to hear of Chief Koning’s passing on Sunday evening,” said Fire Chief Bryan Sorrows. “His service as a firefighter began in 1961; he became Deputy Chief in 1974 and succeeded Waldo Wilson to be Carlisle’s second Fire Chief in 1979. Under Chief Koning’s leadership, the Carlisle Fire Department grew in both capabilities and members with high standards of education, training, and equipment. Chief Koning loved Carlisle, the Carlisle Fire Department, and being Carlisle’s Fire Chief. He will be missed!”
Carlisle’s first ambulance
Another major milestone during Koning’s tenure was the creation of Carlisle’s ambulance service. While a previous request to buy an ambulance had failed, voters at the 1977 Town Meeting approved the purchase of Carlisle’s first ambulance, allowing the Fire Department to provide emergency medical services. Koning applauded the decision. “It’s been one of the best things we’ve had here. Now Carlisle not only has its own emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and ambulance, but it also receives Advanced Life Support (ALS) out of Emerson Hospital.”
Former Fire Chief David Flannery, who succeeded Koning as Carlisle Fire Chief from 2003-2019, noted that “Chief Koning was a true pioneer, innovator, and leader in the fire service, both at home in Carlisle and in the larger emergency services community. He will be remembered for his continual work in the modernization of the fire department and also his work to bring high-quality emergency medical services to our community.”
Critical stress management
As lead agency administrator for the area emergency medical coordinators groups based at Emerson Hospital, Koning hosted the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) Conference in 1990. “No one in emergency services is immune to critical incident stress, regardless of past experiences or years of service,” said Koning. “Researchers have discovered that the responsibility for life and safety of others is considered a significant stressor to emergency personnel, and it may have damaging effects on their lives.” Koning sent a crew including two Carlisle firefighters trained in CISD to Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11 to assess and manage physical, cognitive, and emotional stress symptoms in first responders.
Koning was also responsible for developing helicopter rescue services for serious trauma cases, growing the department staff from 6 to 32 firefighters during his tenure, encouraging women to join the staff, recruiting younger members, and securing funds to purchase high-quality equipment and provide excellent training. “These people don’t do this to make money. They do it because they want to,” said Koning in 2002. “They are your neighbors. They take their jobs very seriously.”
Former Select Board member Tim Hult offered this statement about Koning’s passing. “As a Carlisle Selectman, I had the distinct pleasure of working with Bob Koning during the last several years of his multi-decade service as Fire Chief. During Bob’s tenure of service, the population of Carlisle more than doubled. Bob applied his considerable expertise, his boundless energy, and his deep knowledge of Carlisle to modernizing and upgrading the department to accommodate this growth. Most importantly, he instilled a department culture of community service and respect for all that continues to be a beloved feature of the department to this day.”
“Bob was an excellent and gracious colleague in town management, a strong leader of men and women when that leadership was most needed to protect the town, and a good friend and mentor to so many,” said Hult. “Carlisle is a better and safer place due to the efforts of my friend, Chief Bob Koning.”
Most Honored Citizen
The Town of Carlisle decreed Koning the Most Honored Citizen at Old Home Day in 2002. “Bob Koning is a man who wears many hats,” said award presenter Howard Hensleigh. “After he retires as Fire Chief, he will continue serving as the town’s Building Commissioner. He runs the Building Department, which includes plumbing, gas, and electrical inspections. He is also the enforcement officer for Carlisle’s zoning bylaws.” Hensleigh noted that Koning also continued to pursue his interest in farming. “With some of Jack Valentine’s organic fertilizer, our Most Honored Citizen raised some of the biggest pumpkins in town.”
Retirement from public service
On January 1, 2008, Koning retired from his remaining duties for the town. When asked for his advice to the new Building Inspector, Koning said, “You have to understand you’re working for the public. Take care of them. Treat them all equally. This is a friendly town.”
Retired Carlisle Police Chief David Galvin reflected on his years working in tandem with Koning. “The passing of my ‘partner in crime’ was met with sadness but it was also met with a flood of memories. Wonderful memories, garnered from a 50-year friendship. As fellow chiefs, we had identical goals, a commitment to deliver the best possible service to the Town of Carlisle. The community is a better place, even to this day, because of his vision and dedication. He will be sorely missed by all those who knew him.”
Published May 22, 2024 in The Carlisle Mosquito.
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