Chief Millard Andrews to retire after 40+ years with Cassville Fire Protection District
January 9, 2024
Photos and story by Adriana Keeton, [email protected]
Mercy EMS Paramedics Olivea Sutherland and Susan Satterlee are shown above with Chief Millard Andrews during his come and go retirement party last week.
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Ben and Natalie Lindley look through a memory book reflecting the achievements of Chief Andrews during his time with the Cassville Fire Protection District.
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Last Friday, community members, fellow first responders, and colleagues gathered at the Cassville Fire Station on Sale Barn Road to celebrate the retirement of Cassville Fire Chief Millard Andrews.
It’s been 45 years since Chief Andrews first picked up a fireman’s helmet as a volunteer fireman in Kansas City in 1979 while attending electronics school.
“I wanted to help people,” Chief Andrews said. “It was something God planted in my heart and I followed suit.”
There have been many changes in the Cassville Fire Protection District since Chief Andrews became chief in the early 1980’s which were reflected in a memory book at the celebration.
“When I first started, we didn’t even have gear or equipment,” said Chief Andrews. “I wanted to make sure our department had good operating equipment, a stand alone fire department and safety equipment.”
According to Chief Andrews, when he first joined the department, there was originally two departments in one building, which had very limited equipment. The City of Cassville Fire Department and the Barry County Fire Department were consolidated in the early 2000’s when citizens passed a tax which allowed the department build a new fire station, secure the needed safety and operating equipment, and become the fire protection district it is today.
When asked what he plans to do after retirement, Chief Andrews stated, “I will wait and see what God’s got in store for me. I have always looked to Him for guidance and direction in my life.
“I want to say thank you to the public for their support, for all of those who have volunteered with the department to make it what it is, and God for watching over us and protecting us,” Chief Andrews added. “It takes us all to make it work.”
Chief Andrews will remain chief until a new fire chief is appointed after the fire board meeting at the end of this month.
Chief Andrews attended grade school in Seligman and graduated from Cassville High School in 1968. He has been married to his wife Kathy since 1973 and they have two children, Mitchell and Leah, who both live out of state. He has five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is a member of the First Baptist Church in Cassville.
It’s been 45 years since Chief Andrews first picked up a fireman’s helmet as a volunteer fireman in Kansas City in 1979 while attending electronics school.
“I wanted to help people,” Chief Andrews said. “It was something God planted in my heart and I followed suit.”
There have been many changes in the Cassville Fire Protection District since Chief Andrews became chief in the early 1980’s which were reflected in a memory book at the celebration.
“When I first started, we didn’t even have gear or equipment,” said Chief Andrews. “I wanted to make sure our department had good operating equipment, a stand alone fire department and safety equipment.”
According to Chief Andrews, when he first joined the department, there was originally two departments in one building, which had very limited equipment. The City of Cassville Fire Department and the Barry County Fire Department were consolidated in the early 2000’s when citizens passed a tax which allowed the department build a new fire station, secure the needed safety and operating equipment, and become the fire protection district it is today.
When asked what he plans to do after retirement, Chief Andrews stated, “I will wait and see what God’s got in store for me. I have always looked to Him for guidance and direction in my life.
“I want to say thank you to the public for their support, for all of those who have volunteered with the department to make it what it is, and God for watching over us and protecting us,” Chief Andrews added. “It takes us all to make it work.”
Chief Andrews will remain chief until a new fire chief is appointed after the fire board meeting at the end of this month.
Chief Andrews attended grade school in Seligman and graduated from Cassville High School in 1968. He has been married to his wife Kathy since 1973 and they have two children, Mitchell and Leah, who both live out of state. He has five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is a member of the First Baptist Church in Cassville.