Louis SCHEIDELER

WESTWOOD FIRE DEPARTMENT

WESTWOOD HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION

​

Editor's note:  This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

​

I decided to volunteer with the Fire Department because I have a huge history of service in the family. My grandmother was on the Women's Auxiliary for the fire department, as well as the ambulance corps. My grandfather was on the fire department as well as chief in 1985. And my aunt was also in the fire department. And then in Washington Township where my mother grew up, my grandfather was on that fire department as well. And, and just through all that, I've always felt this huge sense of community pride and living in town. 

 

This town has given me and my family so much, I always felt like I wanted to give back in some way shape or form and this was, this was the decision and I’ve loved every second of it.

 

And on top of that, I joined the Historic Preservation Commission, having an architecture background and at an working architecture firm. I just love the history of this town and it's nice to be a part of a group or an organization with great people that care about the existing fabric that not only this tells a story about what this town was, but what this town is, and how this town can continue to grow and be what it is in the future. And that's a very truncated version of why I decided to join.

 

If people knock on your door, whether it's fire department, ambulance corps, police department, any organization – go to their meetings!  There's always open doors in this town and always people willing to give.

​

TO DONATE TO CELEBRATE WESTWOOD FOLLOW THIS LINK:  GIVING TIME