Airport-Sorgho Fire Chief Pat Thompson is the newest inductee into the Kentucky Firefighters Association Hall of Fame after 39 years of service.
Thompson started as a volunteer firefighter at the age of 19. He quickly fell in love with the field and turned it into a career as a firefighter in Henderson, where he retired after 20 years of service. Since then, he has worked as a volunteer firefighter in Daviess County.
Aside from local service, he has gotten involved at the state level, where he’s been able to network and advocate for firefighter legislation throughout Kentucky. He has also taken his advocacy to the federal level.
“That’s been an eye-opening experience for me,” Thompson said.
In July, Thompson met President Joe Biden while the nation’s leader signed the Fire Grants and Safety Act at the White House.
“To be able to go to the Oval Office and participate in such a prestigious event in the presence of the most powerful man in the world was just amazing,” he said at the time.
Thompson said he received his nomination for the Hall of Fame for years of service locally, statewide, and federally. The induction ceremony was held earlier this month at the Owensboro Convention Center, when the Kentucky Firefighters Association held its annual conference. This year, only two firefighters were inducted into the Hall of Fame.
For Thompson, it was the perfect night because it was in his hometown.
“That was pretty cool. You get to be one of the two selected, and you get to do it in your hometown, in front of your family, friends, and fire department. That’s a very special occasion,” he said.
Looking back on his 39 years of service, Thompson said this isn’t the end for him yet, and he looks forward to more rewarding years along the way.
“I have no intentions of stopping anytime soon,” he said. “I enjoy the volunteer fire service. I enjoy working in the community and then providing guidance to those who want it and ask for it.”
