Several firefighter helmets with various ranks, certificates denoting awards for his service, as well as photos, and newspaper clippings span the wall of Joe Holstein's garage. His firefighter jacket hangs on the opposite side of the wall; the same fire jacket he hung up for good last week when he retired after 40 years as a firefighter with the Crossfield Fire Department.
"I'm going to miss the camaraderie at the fire hall, I'm going to miss helping people. I'm going to miss the adrenaline rush," Holstein said. "It's been a big part of my life for 40 years. Now that it's gone, it's going to be different and part of me is sad to be leaving the fire service, but [the other] part of me is grateful and proud of what I've done."
Several firefighter helmets with various ranks, certificates denoting awards for his service, as well as photos, and newspaper clippings span the wall of Joe Holstein's garage. His firefighter jacket hangs on the opposite side of the wall; the same fire jacket he hung up for good last week when he retired after 40 years as a firefighter with the Crossfield Fire Department. (Photo by Anna Ferensowicz)Holstein joined the fire department at the tender age of 15 and has seen monumental changes in the fire service. As a young firefighter, training videos were on filmstrip; it was what he called a baptism by fire. But perhaps one of the biggest evolutions in the fire service has been addressing mental health. Holstein, who has been vocal about his Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis, says that while the attitudes within firefighting departments have changed, he hopes to see more.
"Years ago, I wish somebody had just given me the warning signs, not to say everybody will be diagnosed with it, but you do have to be aware of it. You need the bunker gear for your brain."
Holstein's spouse, Cheryl Longeway, has also been a big part of advocating for better mental health support for firefighters. She said that watching her husband serve the community for so many years with such dedication is also something she is proud of.
"... Although he's retired, he truly is a retired firefighter; firefighting will always be part of his life and who he is."
While the Crossfield Fire Department is where Holstein went from rookie firefighter to a captain at 21, then a Deputy Chief, then a Chief of the department, and back to Captain, as Holstein said he preferred the hands-on role; it is also a place of tender memories. Holstein and Longeway's wedding photos were taken in front of the fire department's trucks and decades-long friendships were forged and solidified in the fire hall.
While the Crossfield Fire Department is where Holstein went from rookie firefighter to a captain at 21, then a Deputy Chief, then a Chief of the department, and back to Captain, as Holstein said he preferred the hands-on role; it is also a place of tender memories. Holstein and Longeway's wedding photos were taken in front of the fire department's trucks. (Photo submitted by Cheryl Longeway)One of those friendships was with former Crossfield Fire Chief, Ben Niven. He has known Holstein for over three decades.
"In that timeframe, he was an officer with the fire department and I joined as a little, rookie and he was one of our captains at the time," Chief Niven said. "He has been a mentor to a lot of us throughout the years, myself, my brother, who brought me on."
Chief Niven retired himself over a year ago and said that Holstein's commitment to Crossfield is unwavering.
"His sacrifices, not only through the fire service but going above and beyond and helping with our food hamper program; anytime somebody called in a time of need, he was always first to jump up and help them out," he added. "He just cares about his fellow residents. His heart is just so big. It's an amazing thing and [he's] an amazing friend."
Current Crossfield Fire Chief, Bill Messner said that Holstein was a beacon.
"He was one of the firefighter officers that a lot of the firefighters looked up to, in terms of his experience," Chief Messner said. "He had great knowledge based upon that experience that a lot of the firefighters, myself as well, drew upon."
When asked about continuing to evolve the department's mental health strategies, Chief Messner said that it is one of the priorities he is looking into. However, he is also hoping to start an auxiliary program for retired firefighters, such as Holstein, which will allow them to continue to serve the community.
"... Just because they're not frontline firefighters anymore doesn't mean that they don't have value. They still have value in terms of that interaction with the community; they have those relationships, and people in the community, know them as firefighters and respect them as firefighters," he added. "I'd like to draw on that and allow those retirees to be a part of something and know that they have value to us in the community."
For his part, Holstein said that he is looking forward to a quieter period in his life, one that isn't punctuated by beeper tones going off, denoting a call for service. He plans to go salmon fishing in the near future and hopes to enjoy the smaller pleasures in life - such as being able to enjoy a long weekend with his family. Regardless, Holstein said that his firefighting career has been and will always be a part of who he is.
During his time as a firefighter, Holstein has been awarded several awards for his service in fighting the 2016 Wood Buffalo wildfires, exemplary service medals for his service from the federal and provincial government, plaques for 15, 25 and 35 years of service to the Crossfield Fire Department, the provincial Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, as well as a Citizen of the Year award.
Beth Gabriel, a senior firefighter with the Crossfield Fire Department recently dedicated this to Holstein for plans on his 40-year service plaque.
Beth Gabriel (right) and Joe Holstein (left) pose for a photo before Holstein received a medal for his service as a firefighter. (Photo submitted by Joe Holstein)"Congratulations Joe Holstein who achieved 40 years of service with the Crossfield Volunteer Fire Department on Dec 24, 2023. Your outstanding dedication to the community has been and continues to be inspiring to those following in your footsteps."
As he and his wife look at the wall of their garage, which displays his career highlights, the indelible impact of his commitment to the fire service and the people of Crossfield is even greater.
Several firefighter helmets with various ranks, certificates denoting awards for his service, as well as photos, and newspaper clippings span the wall of Joe Holstein's garage. His firefighter jacket hangs on the opposite side of the wall; the same fire jacket he hung up for good last week when he retired after 40 years as a firefighter with the Crossfield Fire Department. (Photo by Anna Ferensowicz)"I think [it]s] just love [of] the community; wanting to give back and help out the community that I love," he said. "It's very gratifying to help people [and] the gratitude from helping out the citizens and surrounding communities. I'm very proud to do that and very happy that I did it. Very grateful for the opportunity."
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