Honoring 50 years of dedication: Dakota Firefighters’ milestone

DAKOTA, Ill (WTVO) — Celebrating 50 years of Volunteer Fire Fighting service for Bill Small and Jim Bordner. Both starting on the Dakota Fire Protection District for similar yet different reasons.

“I thought how cool it was that there were people that were willing to volunteer to fight those fires and try and save people and help people out when they’re in need,” explained Jim Bordner. “That always held with me.”

Bill Small would reach 50 years of service in 2020 and would subsequently retire. With Dakota finally being able to celebrate his 50 years on Sunday afternoon. Bill does say that he still misses his time with the fire department, the community aspect.

“I miss the men. The camaraderie of drills and stuff,” explained Bill Small.

Jim Bordner is still going, and while he might not do everything he used to when he was younger. He is still looking to help wherever and however he can.

“As long as I can still do the things that are needed, I can help,” said Bordner. “I can run pumpers, I can haul water, I can do lots of things. I probably won’t go into a burning house unless I need to. If I needed to, I’ll put an air pack on and I’ll go in. I’ll do everything I can until I can’t anymore. That’s the way it is.”

At the end of the day, the celebration is for both Bill and Jim. But it is really for every firefighter. Both the ones that worked alongside them, and the ones who do not even know who they are.

“I want this celebration to be about all firefighters, all first responders, not just me, not just the 50 years that I put in,” explained Bordner. “It’s about celebrating first responders, doing everything that they can do to help people, and that’s what we’re put here for”