Cincinnati firefighters credit score retiring specialist with holding division collectively

CINCINNATI (WXIX) – The man who held the Cincinnati Fire Department together for the past 23 years is retiring, according to firefighters.

You’ve probably never heard of Matt Beard or his job: CFD asset maintenance specialist.

Just as you understandably would never have thought what would happen if the tools a firefighter needs – hoses, flashlights, axes, and deformities – were damaged.

However, according to numerous fire department officials, the department survived only thanks to Beard’s needle and thread.

“Without people like Matt, firefighters couldn’t do their jobs on the street,” said Anson Turley, assistant director of administrative services for CFD.

Beard is the certified contact for repairs, the central business of the department.

“I would say sew 80 percent of the time,” he said. “But guys can get in with pretty much anything.”

And that’s what they do, say firefighters. Beard doesn’t just repair and clean lighter; he also has other duties.

“He also repairs any other type of equipment we bring and throw at him,” said Turley. “He’ll find a way to fix it.”

Without Beard, Turley explains, firefighters couldn’t do their jobs safely.

“This equipment is designed to protect you during an event that has the whole room on fire, and it is designed to keep you alive for a period of time so you have enough time to give in,” he said. “Well, if Matt didn’t do his job, the firefighters’ lives would be in danger.”

That leads to safer firefighters – and a safer community.

“Our job is to try to protect them, and that’s what we try,” he said. “By keeping them safe, it helps keep the citizens of Cincinnati safe.”

Beard will officially retire on July 1st. He already has an idea of ​​how he’s going to spend his time.

“More time with my wife,” he said. “Take care of the dogs and start the ‘Honey Do’ lists.”

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