Fire Chief Charles W. Schilling hasn’t missed many calls in close to 70 years as a rescuer in Livingston. In fact, he’s been as constant as the six o’clock whistle. The Chief turns 90 this month and last night he answered the call to party when his friends and family helped him celebrate his birthday.
“With all these young girls here tonight, I wouldn't have missed this for the world," Schilling said. “These are all good people and I'm glad we could all be here."
All these good people added up to 300 friends and family at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston. These were the people he has worked alongside with and the people he has helped, like Pat Simpson who reminded the Chief of the time she was a child and he wiped the stones from her knee after a fall.
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Schilling was a charter member of the First Aid Squad and joined the Fire Department in 1942. He served as Fire Chief for 36 years, retiring in 1990.
“He's a great man -- that sums it up," said Fire Chief Chris Mullin.
