Chief William C. Casey

Casey, Chief William C., 86, of Springfield, passed away on Thursday, January 25, 2018 in his home. He was born August 9, 1931 in Springfield to John D. Casey, Sr. and Ruth Loretta (Haley) Casey. Chief Casey grew up on Irish Hill and attended St. Joseph School and Church. He graduated from Catholic Central in the class of 1949. Upon graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1950 and was stationed aboard the USS Fulton Submarine tender, Home Port in New London, Connecticut. Chief Casey was promoted to Boatswain Mate 3rd Class prior to discharge in December of 1954. During his enlistment he married his high school sweetheart Joanne (Johnson) in 1951. Joanne then moved to New London, Connecticut and established residence and was employed with Southern New England Telephone Company. Upon discharge he joined the Springfield Fire Department in April of 1955 and rose through the ranks of Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, Assistant Chief and on May 19, 1984 (his father's birthday) he was promoted to Chief of the Fire Department. Chief Casey was most active at the local, state and international level. He served as President of the Clark County Fire Chiefs, Secretary Treasurer Ohio Fire Chiefs, Vice President of the Great Lakes International Fire Chiefs Association and in 1988 was appointed acting City Manager for the City of Springfield. As Training Officer in 1975, he established the Springfield Fire College, extending recruit training to 17 weeks, mandating physical fitness training, and received a $20,000 grant from Local Union Club for physical fitness equipment. He developed agility testing for new recruits and developed and published an emergency action guide to assist firefighter decision making in emergency incidents. As Chief of Department he initiated the First Responder Program which brought life support systems to citizens in 2-4 minutes and advanced life support in 4-6 minutes and launched a county wide Hazardous Materials Response Team. To enhance fire prevention education, especially for children, he enlisted a registered Dalmation puppy named "Ashes" to assist with the "stop, drop and roll" program and a contest involving children to name the Dalmation. "Ashes" was the winning name. Chief Casey was project manager for numerous improvements including the first computer aided dispatch for Police and Fire Divisions. He established standards for Firefighter protective clothing in the state of Ohio and the "Enhance 911" request for emergency services for the City of Springfield. Chief Casey developed the first 5-year, 10-year, apparatus replacement program for Springfield Fire Division and purchased three new engines, two medic units and rehabbed two engines. Under Chief Casey's leadership the Fire Department was awarded a Class 2 insurance rating which provided a 6% reduction in insurance rates for citizens and commercial institutions. Springfield was one of fifteen in the nation with a Class 2 rating. His concern for buildings that housed the elderly and their life safety in the event of fire, through his efforts automatic sprinkler systems were installed in Tubman Towers and Grey Hill Homes. In September 1989 Chief Casey was entered into the Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame for his leadership and milestone contributions to the fire service. The award is presented by the Ohio State Fire Commission. Upon retirement in 1989, Chief Casey joined the Lion Apparel Manufacturing Company, specializing in firefighter protective clothing. In 1992 he founded Phoenix Safety Outfitters, specializing in cleaning, repairing and marketing firefighter protective clothing. In 2010 he retired to be with his bride of 66 years and his beloved German Shepherd, Basil. Survivors include his wife Joanne (Johnson); three children, Dennis (Cathy) Casey, Kevin (Sherry) Casey of Marshville, North Carolina and Kathleen (Mark) Tayloe; eight grandchildren, Brian (Jenny), Dan(Megan), Meredith (Adam), Alex, Sean (Kayla), Natalie (Andy), Annalise and Kyle; six great grandchildren, Dillon, Rosie, Lilly, Olivia, Cecelia and Corban and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John; four sisters, Betty Hughel, Mary Louise Brust, Patty Siratt and Ruth Lee. Visitation will be held from 2:00-5:00 p.m. Sunday in CONROY FUNERAL HOME with a firefighter turnout service at 5:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday in St. Raphael Church. Burial will be in Ferncliff Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to St. Raphael Church, Ohio's Hospice of Dayton or Memorials Processing St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105-9959.