By Mary Owen
More than three decades of firefighting has not dampened the enthusiasm Karey Hendricks has for volunteering.
“I always had an interest in it,” said Hendricks, earning honors as Sublimity’s 2010 First Citizen. “My dad was a volunteer. I started in June ’76 as a frontline firefighter when I was just 16. I don’t plan to stop any time soon.”
During his 35 years with the Sublimity Fire District, Hendricks has held many positions, including firefighter, engineer, lieutenant and captain.
“Karey is a tremendous asset to not only our organization, but to the community as well,” said Fire Chief Brandon Hamilton, who nominated Hendricks, citing his history of coming from a “deep-rooted family” as just one asset to the district.
“His father, Herman Hendricks, was a volunteer, as was his brother, Kevin, who served as Sublimity’s fire chief from 1979 to 1991,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton called Hendricks a “tireless volunteer” who takes “great pride in passing on his knowledge and experiences and teaching the younger generation coming into the fire service.”
Hendricks admitted he keeps talking about retiring, but the adrenalin rush keeps him going.
“I was going to retire at 30 years,” Hendricks said. “Then I got to thinking I’d go on a little bit more here. I may give it another three or four years. I have no plans to retire.”
Hamilton called Hendricks a “model of dedication and commitment.”
“He is an inspiration to all new members coming in to the organization,” he wrote in nominating Hendricks. “Somebody who is looked to for guidance and mentoring.”
Hamilton commended Hendricks for being “animated and vocal.”
“When he is telling one of ‘his stories,’ everyone listens and gains from his experience and words of wisdom,” he shared.
According to Hamilton, Hendricks is uniquely able to connect with various personalities, making everyone feel welcome and part of the team.
Hendricks was pleased yet shocked to hear that he had been named First Citizen.
“I’ve never won any rewards before,” he said modestly.
Hendricks noted farming and downhill skiing keeps him fit for firefighting, a second career that he loves.
“There is rarely a day that goes by that Karey does not show up after he gets off work, gets a cup of coffee, sits down and keeps everybody in check with reality as we try to sell him on our ‘new-fangled ideas and goin’s on,’” Hamilton said.
For many years, Hendricks also supplied and cooked the corn on the cob for the Sublimity Harvest Festival Sponsorship Dinner.
“Karey is an extremely humble person,” Hamilton said in nominating Hendricks. “In our mind, Karey epitomizes the intent of this award.”
Hendricks and his wife, Laurie, have four children: Jonathan, 24, Guthrie, 22, Emily, 19, and Abby, 17.
