Younger members of the Bow Fire Department who may want firefighter Lee Kimball to hang up his gear can only do one thing for now – keep up with him.

The 30-year veteran of the department was recently rewarded for his service, given the New Hampshire Fire Standards and Training Commission’s Academy Award, which is handed out for dedication and commitment to training.

“I want to stay involved until I am no longer physically able to,” said Kimball, who has held every rank except chief. “I tell them, ‘I am a bit older, but I will give it up when the 18-year-olds can keep up.’ They’re not there yet, but getting a little closer.”

Kimball began with the Bow Fire Department in 1977 when he moved to town, and since then has been involved locally, statewide and nationally with a variety of organizations. He has fought wildland fires, been state coordinator for the state Office of Emergency Management and a member of the Concord Crimeline Board of Directors, among others.

“The thing that has changed the most is the concern for safety and how we approach things.

Technology has also transformed so much, from personal protection to apparatus and how we respond to things,” said Kimball.

“There has been a certain culture change as well. The training and certification qualifications in terms of accountability are very different.”

The draw is simple.

“Number one is the ability to serve the community. It’s a great reward being significant to the protection of lives and property of others. Not just in the town I live in, but the state community and the national community,” he said. “The camaraderie is great, and once in your blood, it’s there for good and you want to stay involved.”

One of the memories that most sticks with Kimball was his involvement in disaster relief during Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Andrew.

He was forced to deal with domestic and child abuse and a large amount of homelessness in Florida following the devastation of the 1992 storm.

According to Kimball, the training may not always be the most exciting aspect of the job, but it is integral.

“Training is so important. It can be mundane, and some feel it’s a chore to do the basics over and over,” he said. “It’s those things that we do and the skills we develop that have to become roped to us that keep us out of trouble. If we do the little things right, the big things will come naturally.”