Bob Motz was recently honored as the 2008 Bath Firefighter of the Year.

Photo: Ken Crisafi

“He’s been a dedicated member of the fire department for 38 years,” said Bath Fire Chief James Paulett. “Despite his busy schedule, he always has time for the fire department. It’s one of the priorities in his life.”

Now Motz has been honored as Bath’s Firefighter of the Year for 2008. He was chosen by a vote of his peers.

“It’s very nice,” said a humble Motz, who has worked as a part-time firefighter and emergency medical technician since 1971.

Motz said he responded to more than 400 calls last year with the department. As a part-time member of the force, he is called when needed and also fills in for shifts for full-time staff.

Motz said his interest in firefighting began in high school. As a student at Revere High School in the 1960s, Motz knew former fire chief Larry Hershey.

“I was at their house all the time when I was in high school,” said Motz, who was friends with Hershey’s children.

When the fire department started up a scuba diving team in 1968, Motz was interested. He took a course with the team and became certified. Today, he still is part of the department’s team that is trained to enter water for searches and rescues.

Upon his high school graduation in 1968, Motz was drafted and went to Vietnam, where he served as a combat infantryman for two years. He returned to Bath in 1971 and by then was 21, old enough to join the fire department.

Motz said the best part of the job is “helping the residents of Bath no matter how minor or how major.”

He adds the job is not without its challenges, citing the changes in technology that firefighters and medics now use on the job daily.

“You have to know more now than you ever knew,” he said. “The equipment, situations, everything involved with it has changed.”

Motz also owns a small construction company that specializes in insurance repairs. He and his wife, Patti, have four grown children and seven grandchildren.

He said he’s been impressed with changes in the fire department that he’s seen over his years of service.

“We’ve gone to a full-time fire department; we have a lot more paramedics and nice equipment,” he said. “Everything has improved every year.”

Paulett said Motz has actively helped during department fund-raisers and is always willing to help a neighbor.

“He’s just the type of guy who helps a lot of people out,” Paulett said.

Motz said he was previously named firefighter of the year for Summit County.