71-year-old firefighter has yet to slow down Man might be oldest ever in Columbus' ranks

John Futty

Jan. 12, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- No one knows whether Lt. John Simkins is the oldest active firefighter in the history of the Columbus Fire Division.

But no one can remember anyone else jumping on a firetruck at age 71.

"He's not the norm," said Capt. Steven Basil, who has known Simkins for 20 years. "How many 71-year-olds are still called 'John Boy'? ... He's just a freak of nature."

Simkins was hired in February 1967, part of a class of six recruits. The others left long ago.

"Some guys can hardly wait to get their years in so they can get out," he said. "I never felt that way. I'm not sure retirement is all it's cracked up to be. Most of the guys retire and go work someplace else. I don't get it."

Simkins, a silver-haired grandfather who bears a resemblance to actor Leslie Nielsen, admits to some aches and pains but hasn't taken a sick day in his nearly 42 years with the division.

In Ohio, firefighters can retire when they reach 25 years of service and are at least 48 years old. The average retirement age for a firefighter is 53.6, according to the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund.

Those who work longer tend to move from firefighting to desk jobs in places such as the fire-alarm office or fire-prevention bureau.

"I've never been interested in a 40-hour job," said Simkins, who enjoys the firefighting schedule of 24 hours on duty, 48 hours off.

The division's historian, William Hall, said no records exist to confirm whether Simkins is the oldest to fight fires in Columbus.

"I have 36 years in the division, and I've never heard of anyone older," Hall said. "In the 1800s and early 1900s, there was no retirement and no pension, so guys literally worked until they died. ... I think it's safe to assume that (Simkins) is the oldest in modern times."

Simkins enrolled in the state's deferred-retirement program six years ago. To collect the deferred benefits being deposited in a special account, he must retire no later than January 2011.

Whether he makes it that long will depend on how he feels, he said. His wife, Patricia, hasn't tried to influence his decision.

The only concession Simkins made to age was moving five years ago from one of the busiest fire stations, Station 24 at Karl and Morse roads, to one of the least busy, Station 34 near the Mall at Tuttle Crossing. He spent the longest stretch of his career, 22 years, on the Hilltop at Station 12.

When Station 34 isn't busy, Simkins is. He finds something to do, such as painting equipment and updating maps of the station's service area.

"I've never seen him sleep in a firehouse," Basil said. "He can't sit still."

Even off duty, Simkins stays active. He spends much of his time at the Union County Airport in Marysville, where he stores and flies his single-engine airplane. He developed a love of flying while serving as a paratrooper in the Army and got his pilot's license in 1964. He continued jumping from airplanes for 17 years after leaving the Army but stopped to spend more time with his son and daughter.

He took up skiing at age 50 and makes annual trips to Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania and resorts in the West.

"I don't smoke or drink. Never have, never will," he said when asked to account for the level of fitness he maintains. "I'm not a health nut, as far as that goes."

Simkins grew up in Franklinton and graduated from Central High School in 1956. After serving three years in the Army, he spent eight years working for Columbia Gas. He didn't consider firefighting until someone mentioned that the city was giving a test for potential recruits.

The number of firefighters has nearly doubled since he joined, from 820 to about 1,500, but the biggest change has been the equipment.

"The gear is 100 percent better than it used to be," he said. "We used to wear welders' gloves. Embers would fall and burn your wrists."

But the most elemental job of the firefighter hasn't changed, he said with a shrug.

"We still put water on fires."

jfutty@dispatch.com

Newstex ID: KRTB-0147-30984820