A lot of dads miss the birth of a child because of work. Steve Hein was there because of work.
His wife called him and told him she needed him home immediately. He drove home and found her giving birth to their son. He called for paramedics, who included some of the people he had just been working with, and delivered his son alongside his teammates.
Hein, the Truro Township Fire Department’s chief, cites that call as the most memorable moment in his 43-year career, which ended Friday with an open-house celebration at the fire station.
That child, Stephen Hein, now 34, said it’s weird to see his father retire.
“It’s odd to see that chapter close in his life,” he said. “We’re proud of everything he’s done.”
The elder Hein, 61, said he believes he leaves the fire department — which also serves the city of Reynoldsburg — in better shape than he found it. Under his supervision, Truro Township Station 161 was demolished, and the replacement is under construction. He pushed for a focus on safety.