At the Viroqua City Council meeting on Tuesday night, Viroqua Fire Chief Chad Buros announced that the fire department was awarding Firefighter John Thompson a lifetime achievement award for his 50 years of service, not just to the fire department, but to the whole city in a number of roles over the years. Buros said the award was a new award created to honor Thompson’s long career of public service. Buros went on to say the award will be known as the John Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award and will be awarded to future firefighters with long careers and exemplary service.
In handing out the award, Fire Chief Chad Buros said it was hard to put into words what Thompson has done for, and means to, the department.
“All of you know him,” said Buros. “Words are really hard to even describe this person, but they’ve put their whole life, heart and soul, into this community. Anywhere from the police side of things, to the medical side of things, to definitely the fire side of things. Anything to do with blinky lights, to red fire trucks, to how they’re built, to how you fix them, to just every aspect. But not only that, then there is the Council (City Council), he’s been a big piece of the council. So every aspect of the city, when it comes to emergency services or the well being of the community, he’s dedicated his whole life to that.”
This year marked Thompson’s 50th year on the fire department, but he had previously served as Viroqua police chief for about 18 years and fire chief for 13.
“So every aspect of the city, when it comes to emergency services or the well being of the community, he’s dedicated his whole life to that.” Viroqua Fire Chief Chad Buros
“He has a lot of integrity, very knowledgeable in the service,” said Buros. “You couldn’t find anybody more dedicated to the public in many different ways. Someone that goes well beyond in every aspect …every aspect of emergency services, the community safety in general. And we thought that it would be an important award to bring into a bigger forum, and in front of the council, and and the public.”
Thompson, who was attending a meeting as a member of the city council said he had not expected the award.
“Well, I don’t really know what to say,” said Thompson. “I certainly didn’t expect this. I was wondering why the chief had everybody here tonight, and I didn’t figure it out. So it’s been a wonderful experience. I mean, we deal with good and bad, and you do some good for some people, and you take some some pleasure in that. But other times, things don’t go so well, and you take the pain in that, but that’s just the way it goes. I couldn’t have made it this long without the help of everybody else that’s here, and I don’t have much oomph left, but I’m still trying. So thank you, everybody.”
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