Under a backdrop of flame retardant suits and a cake with "Congratulations Billy" scrawled in frosting, friends and family of Lt. William Kresser gathered to say goodbye during Kresser's last shift Saturday.
"The crew, the guys, they're our second family. You live with them 24 hours a day. You enjoy the good times and you make it through the rough times," he said at his retirement party. "There's a danger to it, but there is an excitement to it too."
Hired April 6, 1969, Kresser began his career with the Waltham Fire Department out of Engine-6, Central Station on Lexington Street.
In 1971, Kresser and his crew battled a fire at the former Polaroid building on Main Street. He said it was one of the most-dangerous situations of his career.
"Twelve of us got carried out of the Polaroid chemical fire," he said. "Our whole crew (was hospitalized). That was probably one of the most serious, scariest experiences ever. I was only two years into the job."
Kresser was promoted to lieutenant on June 26, 1983, and was assigned to Squad 5 at the Moody Street Fire Station.
A 38-year veteran of the Waltham Fire Department, Kresser is the longest serving active member of the force.
"When I came on we didn't have portable radios, we all didn't have our own breathing apparatuses," he said. "We all had rubber coats and boots back then."
He said there has been a lot of changes in the role of firefighters.
"We're all trained in first responder medical situations. It's like night and day to when I came on," he said. "Back then we didn't respond to medical calls. If there was no fire you basically didn't go. Today, 77 percent of our calls are medical situations."
Most recently, Kresser served on Engine 1 out of Moody Street Station, the city's oldest firefighting company.
Waltham Fire Chief Richard Cardillo congratulated Kresser, acknowledging his years of service.e in a press release from the Waltham Fire Department.
"Lt. Kresser's leadership, skill and experience will be missed. It is tremendous to see someone so committed to Waltham and the Fire Department that he would serve so long," Cardillo said. "Lt. Kresser will always remain a part of our fire-fighting family and we wish him all the best in his retirement."
At the conclusion of his last shift Saturday, Kresser ended his career with a traditional ceremonial ride home in his fire engine, according to the Waltham Fire Department.
"It's been a great experience. I feel honored I was able to serve 38 years," he said. "We have a very dedicated department that's very well trained. I'd put them up to any department in the state or in the country."
Jeff Gilbride can be reached at 781-398-8005 or jgilbrid@cnc.com.
