The greatest job in the world

Bob Hamilton retires after 21 years with Coeur d’Alene Fire Department

COEUR d’ALENE — In his 21 years as a Coeur d’Alene firefighter, Bob Hamilton has had 13 surgeries.

He has worked hard, played hard and taken chances.

“You push until something gives,” he said Wednesday.

Having just turned 60 years old, something gave.

“My body was done,” he said.

Hamilton, a paramedic and fire engine driver, has retired. His last shift ended at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

It was a good career, he said. The best.

“Not all of what we do is as glamorous as you think it might be,” he said, laughing. “But we have got to remember, we do have the greatest job in the world.”

Wednesday, he was at a Liberty Lake, Wash., golf course, with the second-greatest job. He was teaching a grandson to take over his 30-year summer business of retrieving golf balls from course ponds.

“I’m passing it on to him,” Hamilton said.

Asked if he could pass on a bit of advice about what makes a great firefighter, Hamilton didn’t hesitate.

“Attitude. Attitude is totally it,” the Post Falls resident said.

And the crew in Coeur d’Alene has it.

He said firefighters have dealt with some of the toughest, most heart-breaking situations you could imagine, and they come away with resolve, determination and knowing that they did their best.

They rose to the challenge time and again, and it’s been an honor.

“Here’s the thing,” Hamilton said. “We go to the grocery store, when we’re out on the street, people say, ‘Thank you for your service.’ I always say, ‘Thank you for giving me the greatest job there is.’”

Craig Etherton, inspector and public information officer with the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department, said Hamilton stood out.

“He has a big distinctive laugh and was always professional in his duties with a passion for helping his community,” Etherton said. “He was one of the first firefighters that the fire department sent to paramedic school and he did a great job of mentoring new medics throughout his career.”

Hamilton’s engineer post will be filled by firefighter Joseph Weihert, who has been with the department for 18 years and joined after stints with the U.S. Marines and as a large crane operator.

“Join us in congratulating Melvin ‘Bob’ Hamilton on his retirement from the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department after over 21 years of dedicated service to our community and its visitors,” Etherton said. “We know that Joe will do an excellent job in his new role.”

Hamilton has high praise for his career and colleagues.

“I worked with top-notch guys who go through literally thousands of hours of training,” he said.

He’s excited about retirement. He invested well and will have his pension. He plans to enjoy family.

“I have set myself up very well,” he said.

He said pretty much any situation you can imagine a firefighter might face, he faced it. He’s seen it.

Battling blazes, rushing into burning buildings, rescuing people and saving animals, too, he’s done it.

And he would do it all again.

“It’s been really amazing,” Hamilton said. “We help people and when we do, it’s very interesting. Like I said, I’ve had the greatest job in the world.”