Eufaula Fire Chief Chad French honored retiring firefighter Will Pennington at the Eufaula City Council meeting Monday.

Pennington has been with the department for 21 years.

“I’m here today to recognize one of our own,” French said.

He pointed out Pennington’s dedication to serving the community.

“He gave 21 years of his life to this community. Not only 21 years, but he is a second-generation firefighter.”

Will is the son of Gordon and Brandy Pennington, who were on hand for their son’s ceremony. Gordon Pennington, who retired as Eufaula’s Director of Community Development in 2013, retire as a volunteer firefighter in 2011 after 22 years of service.

French talked about the life of volunteer firefighters.

“You volunteer your time. You work all day at your job and get up the next morning to go to work. Sometimes you get a call and have to fight a fire all night long and then go to work.

“We live in a small community where you know pretty much everybody. A tough part about the job is when you go on some pretty rough calls and it involves classmates, family, friends. People don’t realize how tough that is.”