Lefty to leave fire department post

Retirement will bring with it some peace and quiet for Roger "Lefty" Ginger.

"I think the biggest thing I'll notice is that I won't have a pager going off now," he said.

Ginger, 76, will close the book on 50 years of service with Everly Fire & Rescue this Sunday during a special sendoff. The longtime volunteer admitted his retirement is a bit strange, but he's ready.

"I'm a bit too old to cut the mustard, as they say," he said. "It's time for the younger generation to take over."

A native of Primghar, Ginger moved to Everly after completing his military service in 1968. He worked for Doug Pingel at his gas station downtown and eventually decided to join the fire department in 1973.

Ginger has seen a plethora of changes during his firefighting career – from improved equipment and better vehicles to stricter regulations and low roster numbers. One of the most notable differences has been the fire station itself, which used to be located near the library.

Back then trucks would have to park back to back so they'd fit inside the garage, but that arrangement changed when the current fire station was built in the early 1980s.

"It's always nice to see updates, and that was a big one," Ginger said.

Ginger has held every title possible with the fire department during his 50-year tenure. His favorite was an easy choice – chief.

"Being chief is always the best," he said. "Supposedly you get to tell everyone what to do, but they can tell you where to go, too."

With so many fire calls under his belt, Ginger has to pause when recounting the most memorable ones. Highlights include the elevator fire and the time Willie Hartmann's house burned down, but more mundane calls also make the list.

"We got called once to a lady's house because it was filled with smoke and she didn't know where the fire was," he recalled. "Turns out she left a skillet on the stove, but couldn't find it. That was pretty good."

Firefights will be a thing of the past, but a different sort of battle has been at the top of Ginger's priority list recently.

He has been receiving treatment for skin cancer since 2022. He said chemo treatments have been going well and his doctors have been pleased with his progress.

"Everything has been really good," he said. "I get pretty tired after treatments, but other than that, I really don't notice much."

While Ginger may be hanging up his helmet, he'll never forget the memories he's made during the past five decades.

"I'll miss helping people out and working with everyone as a team," he said. "It's a very rewarding feeling when you help people through fire and medical. The thank-yous that you get in return are just fabulous."

The time may be up on Ginger's tenure at Everly Fire & Rescue, but remaining members won't be missing him anytime soon – they recently made him an honorary member.

"I might be assigned as official custodian or something like that," Ginger said with a laugh. "I'll still be around and help out."