Albert Hahn Day: North Hampton firefighter honored for 60 years of service

A North Hampton Volunteer Fire Department member was recognized by Hampton Township Council for 60 years of service.

Council declared Aug. 23 to be Albert Hahn Day in honor of his six decades of dedication.

You may wonder how someone could serve the community for so long and still be one of the most loyal responders, to this day.

“Albert literally joined the fire department on the earliest possible date that he could. He turned 16 years old, and at the following meeting, he enrolled with our fire company,” said North Hampton Chief Mike Piovesan.

Hahn’s service actually is a bit longer, if the time he donated before he reached legal volunteer firefighter age counts.

“I was hanging around the station even before I was allowed to join,” he said. “We would wash the trucks and help at bingo.”

It wasn’t a surprise to anyone when he signed up so young because his father, John Arthur “Art” Hahn, was a North Hampton founding member.

“Yeah, my dad was certainly one of the main reasons that I joined the department,” said Hahn.

When fellow firefighters speak of Albert, they laugh and smile as they talk about his unbelievable commitment to the department.

“He still drives one of the trucks and handles pumping duties at the fires. We all feel safest with him driving,” said Piovesan, who has 20 years of service with the department.

When it was time to decide how they would celebrate Hahn’s longevity, the firefighters wanted to throw a party, but they couldn’t imagine a party without Albert’s homemade sausage. So they tricked him into cooking for his own celebration.

“We didn’t tell him what it was for, but everyone loves his hot sausage, so we just told him to cook it,” said Christopher Andrews, North Hampton vice president.

Hahn grew suspicious when they requested his cooking, because it normally is only for special occasions.

“Yeah, it was a bit strange when they asked me to make my hot sausage for the August meeting, but then I didn’t think any more about it,” said Hahn, who was surprised by the attention he received.

In addition to Hahn’s party and at the direction of his department, another local volunteer firefighter, Andy Steffish of Richland, created a one-of-a-kind plaque. It consists of a genuine fireman’s axe mounted to a piece of cherry wood, with a bronze engraved plate recognizing his service.

“We made sure it was a real axe in case he ever needed to use it,” Piovesan joked.

Hahn’s service with North Huntingdon got him a lot more than some recognition and a plaque.

“He met his wife, Diane, at fire department bingo,” said Piovesan.

Albert may not have ever disclosed the information about how he met Diane, but that’s what fire department buddies are for. Right?

“We are really telling all his secrets now,” said fellow firefighter Eric Rathbun.

Hahn is one of the most level-headed and knowledgeable people around, according to his friends, and that has earned him a nickname around the firehouse.

“We call him the Godfather,” said Piovesan

Albert not only gave his time and service to the fire department, but he was also a respected installation man with the International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 5 at his day job.

“I worked on a lot of big buildings here in Pittsburgh over the years. I even did Acrisure Stadium when it was Heinz Field,” said Hahn.

It’s hard to get any personal stories out of Hahn, because he doesn’t want the spotlight or the praise.

“He’s just a really humble guy, and we can all learn a lot from him,” said Pioevesan.

Sixty years of service to the volunteer fire department is certainly no easy task.

“We all just want to thank him for his service. This is truly a special accomplishment,” said Carolynn Johnson, Hampton council president.