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OAKLAND — After six decades of service to the community, Harland “Hardy” Taylor is retiring from the Oakland Fire Department. Taylor has served as a firefighter, EMT, captain, assistant chief and deputy chief.
The Fire Department and Taylor family will host a retirement gathering from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, at Williams Elementary School. Te public is invited to attend and have the opportunity thank Hardy for his year’s for dedicated service.
Over the years Hardy has become the face of the fire department and will be missed by the residents and firefighters. He is a people person who instantly earns the respect and trust of everyone he meets.
Over the years Hardy has seen many changes with training, apparatus, equipment and communications. The most important thing and something that has not changed is the people. Taylor said, “The faces have changed over the many decades and generations of families, but they are all the greatest asset to the town and department.”
Taylor first started “tagging along” to fire calls when he was 14. Chief Ed Pullen officially hired Hardy in 1960, and he became an official member of the department. “Three Mondays in June and by July 1st, I was a firefighter,” Taylor recalled.
Hardy served as the president of the Oakland Firefighters Association for 30 years, and moved up through the ranks of the d,epartment becoming deputy chief in 2000. He has also served as the town’s civil defense director and town wire Warden for several years. Hardy has earned numerous awards, including the Emergency Medical Service Governors Award.
Taylor is looking forward to his retirement, spending time up to camp and with his family. He will not be stranger around the firehouse either visiting often for coffee and camaradarie.
PHOTOS: Hardy Taylor (Oakland Fire Department Facebook photos)
