Three decades of service

Mark Kostovny marks 30 years with Hanna Fire Department

People who know Hanna Fire Chief Mark Kostovny know he didn't want a big deal made out of him hitting the 30 year mark working as a firefighter.

His crew, however, insisted and a small award party was held for him on June 24 at the Hanna fire station.

"They made it very clear, that they were not going to let this-more or less-milestone pass by without some sort of acknowledgment," Kostovny said.

Kostovny thanked everyone who came to see Sam Sikes present him with an award. He said he was proud to work with the volunteer fire department crew at Hanna and to work with the other fire departments throughout the county.

His work with the fire department began when he had just come to town working for Northern Utilities in the early 90s, which is now a part of Black Hills Energy.

"A one man town was like gold in the company. I had been in Casper before the position in Hanna became available and I jumped on it," Kostovny said. "Then one of the first people I met was Richard Gregory, who was Hanna fire chief, and he asked me if I would be interested."

Kostovny said he had an uncle who was a firefighter in Pennsylvania and his brother has been active with fire departments too. It seemed like a good fit for a man who was going to make his home in this small town.

Since 1991, Kostovny has been with the Hanna fire department continuously with the exception of a brief three month break.

Although 30 years is a long time, Kostovny has no intention of quitting any time soon.

"I am still healthy enough so that I can still do it and I have some young kids on the team that I don't have to climb roofs all the time," Kostovny said. "I can actually be a fire chief and give direction. We have a really good group."

Kostovny made it clear he enjoys his work in the fire department.

"Fighting fire is fun," Kostovny said. "I know that sounds kind of sick, but when you drive by houses that you know were saved by the department, it makes you feel good. The fire didn't win. We did."

When he first started with the department, Kostovny made it clear he didn't want any part of a job that would put him in contact with ambulances. At the time the ambulance service was a part of the fire department. He was told that he might have to drive one. As it turned out, Kostovny ended up becoming an EMT Intermediate for 21 years. He has seen plenty of blood during that time.

"What I discovered is seeing my blood is what I don't like," Kostovny said. "Other people's blood I don't mind."

Over the 30 years, Kostovny has seen things change.

"I am one of the few surviving members of the Carbon County Dive Team," Kostovny said. "We phased out and I don't know when the last time anyone has been in the water for search and rescue."

Kostovny said, over the years, he has seen politics stick its head into things it should not.

"For instance in 2007, we had an election in Hanna that chased the fire department away," Kostovny said. "We were lucky that the county was here and that is where we worked out of for a while."

Things are better for Hanna now. Kostovny said volunteers that join the department know a lot is expected for training.

"Family is first, then your job, then the department is going to try and steal whatever other time you have," Kostovny said. "We tell people right off the bat that this work takes time. I don't believe we have ever had more than 20 people on the team."

Kostovny said all the fire departments in Carbon County work together and Hanna always responds.

"I do this because I really enjoy the work and I really like the people I do this with," Kostovny said. "Any time we have a function or event we do, the families are invited. It is a very cohesive group here."

John Rutherford, interim Carbon County Fire Warden, was on hand at the party and had some words about Kostovny's service.

"I just want to thank him for 30 years of service," Rutherford said. "Its not easy and it is challenging. Volunteers are getting more scarce and Mark is very valuable to not only Hanna, but to all of Carbon County."

 

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