Central Whidbey Volunteer Firefighter Retires After 15 Years

Longtime volunteer firefighter Bob Moore formally retired from Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue earlier this month, closing a 15 year chapter of service to Whidbey Island. Moore, who is 80 years old, stepped down for health reasons and was honored at a fire commissioner’s meeting on November 13, when friends, family and colleagues presented him with a shadow box displaying his badge and patch.

Moore served in multiple roles at Central Whidbey, including firefighter, engine operator and lieutenant, according to the department. His tenure included routine responses such as removing fallen trees from roadways during winter storms, and high intensity rescues where lifesaving interventions were required. Department officials say he performed CPR "hundreds of times." Moore left the department with nothing but good things to report about his colleagues and the work they do together. "There are just a lot of good memories. They’re caring people, that’s all I can say," he said. "I’ve made some lifelong friends."

The ceremony and public recognition underscored a broader community reliance on volunteers. Moore brought decades of experience to Island County, including nine years as a search and rescue diver and more than a decade as a volunteer firefighter in California prior to his time on Whidbey. He framed volunteerism as a civic duty, saying "I’ve done volunteer work for so many years. I don’t know any other way to do it," and "I feel like if we don’t take care of our own communities and help where we can, then we’re not doing our part as a citizen."

For residents, Moore’s retirement is a reminder that local emergency readiness depends not only on equipment and stations, but on the recruitment, retention and wellbeing of volunteer personnel. Volunteer departments across Island County face ongoing needs for trained responders and the institutional support that keeps them active. Moore plans to step back from emergency duties and focus on personal time with his wife, noting "She’s put up with this all these years," and "We’re just gonna spend more time together now."

As Central Whidbey transitions roles and responsibilities, the department and community leaders will need to continue outreach and training efforts to sustain response capacity on Whidbey Island. Moore’s career illustrates the long term contributions volunteers make to public safety and community cohesion.