Friday, June 17, 2016

The Moyers Corners Fire Department would like to congratulate Past Deputy Chief Ken Filow on his retirement from the department. Firefighters from all four stations gathered recently to send the Filow’s off in a very special way. Chief Filow was a true leader, visionary, and mentor to all. To honor his 39 years of outstanding service to the MCFD and the Town of Clay, the members of Station 4 added a permanent fixture above his gear locker. We hope this tradition continues by recognizing outstanding contributors at each station.

In 2015, Ken received the Ken Brand Sr. award at our annual banquet. We have included the speech delivered by Chief Frank Crispin as it not only gives you an idea of his accomplishments during his tenure, but truly describes the man that we will miss dearly. Good luck Ken, Jill, and Matthew. Thank you for everything you have done for us. 

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The Ken Brand Sr Award was named after the Charter Member and Founder of Moyers Corners Fire Department. Moyers Corners was founded in 1948 by Ken Brand Sr to solve a lack of adequate Fire Protection within the Town of Clay. Chief Brand’s character, vision and leadership has left an indelible mark on the Department for the past sixty eight (68) years.  This award is presented each year to an individual that possesses the same character, leadership qualities and commitment to the Town of Clay residents and Moyers Corners in the highest tradition envisioned by Chief Brand.

This year’s recipient meets all these standards and more. He is not only a thirty eight (38) Year member, but has served in the highest leadership positions within Moyers Corners. As you can imagine a few words would not even begin to cover what Deputy Chief Ken Filow has meant to Moyers Corners, the Town of Clay and many of us personally. A few years ago I had the privilege to present Chief Filow with his award for thirty five (35) years of continuous service to the Moyers Corners Fire Department. At that time I told a few stories of the yelling, the screaming, and the throwing of radios/halogens/turnout gear, the scary stare and so you know that was just dealing with a young Lieutenant who will remain nameless. We all thought with age a calming affect would come over Chief Filow, we were partially right, but the passion for firefighting, teaching and preparing the young firefighters for the inevitable life challenges will never allow him to quietly ride into the sunset.

Chief Ken Filow has been a driving force, inspiration and visionary for Moyers Corners. He joined the Fire Department in 1977, when he lived in Bayberry and was assigned to Station 2 as a Truckie. His leadership skills were quickly noticed by his peers and in 1981 was elected Lieutenant; one of his many leadership positions he would hold over the next thirty eight (38) years. His career as a Fire Officer culminated in 1999 when he reached the rank of 1st Deputy Chief of the Department. At the end of 1999 with 1000’s of calls, drills, meetings, and fires in his resume he decided it was time to turn over the Department Leadership to the future generation that he had been cultivating, molding and training for two decades.

For the next eight (8) years Ken went back to doing what he has loved the most; answering calls, training, fighting fires and working on the Rescue Company. The reality for all of us is he went back to his most important job that he did for his entire career. He resumed his role as senior firefighter, teacher, mentor and most importantly counsel to the firefighters, Officers of the Fire Department and I am sure hard for him to believe the future Chiefs.

After much arm twisting and the call from “his beloved Fire Department” he returned to Management in 2007 as the Fire Departments Vice President. In 2008 he was elected President and served for the next five years with Past Chief Ed Wisnowski. Chief Filow used his leadership, strength of character and integrity to help move the Fire Department into the 21st Century. Chief Filow’s primary concern has been and always will be for the Health of the Department and its future.

We often forget that the volunteer fire service affects not only the member, but also their family. Everyone in this room can relate to the dinners missed, the family events interrupted, the meetings, calls, etc. Ken’s wife Jill (Mom Filow as we affectionately call her) and his son Matthew have seen this for thirty eight (38) years. Their sacrifice and understanding has been both Moyers Corners and the residents of Town of Clays gain and benefit. As well as his career in the fire service has been, it has not gone without challenges. For the past two years the Filow family has faced significant health scares; thankfully it appears everyone is on the mend. What is remarkable is that through all these times Chief Filow never wavered in his commitment to Moyers Corners or his core values. As always he showed through his actions what it meant to be a person of character and a true leader.

In closing it is often debated what a person’s legacy is in the Fire Service. With all the recent talk of consolidation, cost cutting, efficiency, etc. we miss the human part. I would say your legacy is shaped by  the way you live your life, how you treat others and do you leave the place better off than when you got here. Were you a contributor, did you provide solutions to issues, vison for the future and prepare the future leaders. Chief Filow has set the standard for what a person of strong character and the traits that a true leader must possess. The future generations of Chiefs, Officers, E-Board Members and firefighters will always be indebted to him for his leadership, council, and strength of character. Chief Filow is and has been a role model for the “right way to do it”. I would say look around this room, the young men and women sitting next to you and the people standing before you; this is a measure of Ken Filow’s legacy. Ken Filow’s legacy will be measured for decades to come in the past, present and future leadership of this department. Chief Filows fingerprints will remain with Moyers Corners for generations to come.

I have no doubt that the standard and tradition begun by Chief Ken Brand Sr in 1948 is still alive and well in 2016 at Moyers Corners. Ken Filow is one of the prime reasons that this level of excellence will continue and he is the standard bearer for what the future leadership should strive to accomplish. It is my pleasure and honor to present the Ken Brand Sr. Award to my mentor, friend, Past Deputy Chief and Past President Ken Filow.

 - Chief Frank Crispin

 

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