By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

After 28 years with Goessel’s fire department, rising to the position of chief, Matthew Voth resigned from the department Thursday.

In a letter to fire board members, firefighters, and other county fire chiefs, Voth wrote that his last day would be April 1 or sooner if a replacement was found by the fire board.

“I will gladly assist my replacement in a transition period and will continue to be available to the new leadership for questions as they arise,” Voth wrote. “I look forward to continuing to serve our community in the future in other ways.”

Voth, who started firefighting as soon as he graduated high school, said his resignation was for personal reasons that he did not want to detail.

Former chief Larry Jay recruited Voth over lunch break one day at work.

“The idea of service to my community members is pretty strong, and it still is,” Voth said. “I just feel I’m going to take a break for maybe a couple years and see if I can find some other ways I can serve.”

One of his strongest memories is the Middle Creek Fire October 2022 in eastern Marion and western Chase counties.

“All of the fire departments now work together better,” Voth said.

He enjoys making structure out of chaos at a fire scene.

“Probably the biggest rewards I’ve gotten over the years are the looks of relief and gratitude when we help someone out,” he said.

The 19-member Goessel Fire Department never had a shortage of volunteers, he said.

“I’ve had the opportunity to work with some really great guys on the department,” he said.

Hillsboro chief Ben Steketee said that he supported Voth’s decision to resign, but the resignation would leave “a very large empty space in the fire service.”

“His leadership has brought the Goessel Fire Department to new heights,” Steketee said. “I see him as a leader who prioritizes dignity and respect among firefighters and officers alike, while still integrating toughness and intelligence as the mode of operations.

“He’s always willing to help. In fact, I get the impression that, while never wishing harm or loss to anyone, he enjoys being on the fire ground. This is evident in the way he has embedded himself as a leader of the Marion County Task Force, just another example of how he strives to improve the fire service wherever he sees the need. Godspeed, Matthew.”

Emergency manager Marcy Hostetler echoed Steketee’s sentiments that Voth’s resignation would be a loss to the county.

“He will be missed,” Hostetler said. “Those are going to be big shoes to fill.”

Voth knew firefighting and, along with Lincolnville chief Les Kaiser, built the county’s wildland fire task force, Hostetler said. Other wildland task forces across the state look to it as an example, Hostetler said.

“He’s always looking for out-of-the-box ways to solve a problem,” she said.

She described Voth as a calm and patient mentor and leader, always good at knowing what people needed and when they needed it. He never had a problem with stepping back and assisting a less experienced firefighters to learn the ropes.

“It is with sadness that I congratulate Matt on his pending retirement,” Kaiser said. “Matt has served both Goessel Fire Department and the county fire service as a whole with dedication and distinction. On an emergency incident, he was able to read the situation, analyze it, and spit out a solution, and if the solution was not correct or not what was needed, he was able to adjust on the fly.

“Matt’s No. 1 goal was that everyone comes home. He is a very respected fire chief, and I feel very honored that I was able to know and work alongside Matt. Many times, I had brought problems or issues to Matt to help me find a solution both for my fire department and also county fire issues, and he was able to offer advice or opinions on the issues which usually worked very well.

“I for one will miss working beside him but I know if I have a problem that needs a solution that I just can’t quite find I will still be able to go to him and he will help because that is just the kind of person he is.”

Ramona fire chief Nathan Brunner said he was taken by surprise when he heard Voth had resigned.

He commended Voth’s work getting grants for equipment, working with the county to get new rescue equipment, and starting rescue services not only for Goessel but for areas of the county outside Goessel’s district.

“Chief Voth has been a huge part in starting, continuing, and helping run our county’s wildland task force,” Brunner said. “I believe many firefighters and chiefs look to Voth’s experience and time with Goessel as a mentor. Losing Chief Voth is a loss for sure to Goessel, Marion County, and for all of Goessel’s mutual aid partners in surrounding counties.”

Voth’s final thought was that the door for more firefighters was always open.

“If you have any interest at all — male or female — talk to your local fire chief,” Voth said.