After being a member of the Clarks Grove Fire Department for 39 years of which 29 years I served as fire chief, I submitted my resignation from the department on Monday, Jan. 2, 2012.

I want to personally thank the citizens of Clarks Grove and the surrounding area for giving me the opportunity to serve all of you over the past 39 years. Whether it was a structure fire, a medical call, a traffic accident or whatever the emergency situation, it was my privilege to help you out in any way I could. I also want to thank my neighboring fire departments who helped out the Clarks Grove Fire Department, especially our sister station, the Geneva Fire Department. Many other agencies like the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, the county dispatchers, the emergency medical services staff at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea, Allen’s Tow & Travel, the Minnesota Highway Patrol, the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross and countless other people and agencies that helped us out over the years.

I need to also thank my family and especially my wife, Nancy, who was always at my side to turn on the bedroom light so I could get dressed in the middle of the night and respond to calls, or she would lend me her ear when I returned after a bad fire or emergence call. These are all countless memories that I will cherish in my heart forever!

When a man becomes a firefighter, his greatest act of bravery has been accomplished. What he does after that is all in the line of duty!

 

Carl A. Anderson

retired fire chief

Clarks Grove