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Fire Captain

Bill Monroe

It’s a worthwhile

occupation

CHRIS KAISER
special to the ddd

More than likely, you have probably seen Kennett
Fire Captain, Bill Monroe working in the community.
Monroe has spent more than 40 years serving the
City of Kennett in times of emergency. He first joined
the civil defense in Kennett, where he assisted in res-
cues and storm spotting. Since then, he has worked
his way up to hold the rank of captain with the Ken-
nett Fire Department.
Before Monroe arrived in Kennett, he served in the
Vietnam War as a gunner’s mate with the U.S. Navy.
During his time in Vietnam, he worked along two riv- Fire Captain Bill Monroe
ers as a part of a river division. After leaving Vietnam,
Monroe was assigned to an ammunition ship in Flor- lost their lives in fires,” Monroe recalled. “And it’s espe-
ida. It was during this time in Florida he met a fellow cially tough when it’s a kid.”
sailor who was from Kennett. That friendship eventual-
ly led to Monroe meeting his future wife, Norma, who During his career in fire service, he says there were
was also from Kennett. Bill and Norma married in Dec. two men who were helpful to Monroe’s role at the fire
1971. department. “Oscar Barnes and Paul Dennis were both
Once Monroe was discharged from his time of mili-
tary service, he and his wife moved to Kennett in 1973. helpful,” Monroe mentioned. “They would answer any
of your questions and show you how to do things.”
It was that same year that he began working for Riggs During his time with the fire department, Monroe
Supply. During 1973, Monroe also began helping with said the training and ways they handle emergencies
the civil defense in Kennett, before joining the auxilia- have changed. “Years ago, when fighting a fire, it was
ry in 1980. all paper and wood for the most part. But now you have
In 1989, Monroe joined the Kennett Fire Dept., part-
time. When he first took the position, he joined the different materials that is being used to build struc-
tures.”
department as a way to help out during a time when Monroe also spoke of the updates in equipment they
they were short handed. “I got bit,” Monroe said. “I re- use. “The trucks have gotten bigger and you carry more
ally had no intention of becoming a firefighter, but I’ve equipment. Used to, you just fought fires. Now there
been with them ever since.” are more emergency situations to respond to.”
Monroe says the job is about giving. “You try to give
Monroe takes pride in his time with the fire depart-
something back to the community.” ment. “I think it’s the satisfaction of helping some-
Throughout his years of service, Monroe has worked
numerous fires, wrecks, search and rescues, along with body,” Monroe said. “That’s what it’s all about.”
“It’s a worthwhile occupation,” he continued as he
many other emergency situations. Along with those described the job. “Not everyone is cut out to do it, but
emergency calls, comes the realization of the destruc- if someone is interested in fire service, it’s a good pro-
tion that is left in the wake of tragedy. “People have
fession to get into.”

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