And if that were not enough for one man, Downin has just been honored for completing 25 years of service with the Franklin Fire Department. It is through his involvement with the fire department that Downin is embarking on another adventure. He left Saturday to teach a class at the state fire school in Custer, S.D., on how to supply water to a fire when you are far from a hydrant. Working in Delaware County, this is a subject that Downin has learned very well over the years. People from all over the country study at the fire academy in Maryland, Downin said, adding that he keeps in touch with the friends he made there.
Rural firefighters stick together.
It was one of these academy friends who invited Downin to teach in South Dakota. The Franklin Fire Department has helped Downin attend the academy. And he has repaid the favor. From the special car assigned to him through the Office of Emergency Services, Downin can monitor all of the calls around the county. Downin said he expects that his other jobs will soon be keeping him a lot busier.