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NEWBERRY — A long time firefighter has garnered the honors as the City of Newberry Fireman of the Year.

Burt Mohler is not a rookie with the fire service. The now lieutenant started his career when he was 18 and joined the Bush River Fire service.

In 1991, he became a member of the Newberry Fire Department as a volunteer and became a full-time, paid fireman in 1993.

Before joining the fire service, Mohler worked for the Emergency Medical Services for over two years.

But Mohler’s public service did not stop there. He was also a member of the Newberry County Rescue Squad and was a reserve police officer for four to five years.

In the past year, Mohler has been one of the founding members of the fire department’s new honor guard. The honor guard is available to serve at fire department funerals and events by presenting the colors.

The fire lieutenant is known for his fund raising by leading the department’s golf tournament.

The golfing event funds the a kids fun day hosted annually by the department and over $10,000 has been donated to the the children’s burn center at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Mohler is also known to be in and out of the fire department on a daily basis and provides technical assistance to the staff.

In his fire department duties, Mohler is a fire inspector, a fire marshal and a fire officer II.

He is also instrumental with the department’s Fire House software, which houses the departmental reports, training records, etc.

“He is a huge asset,” said Newberry Fire Chief Keith Minick.

Mohler also won the Jaycee’s award for public service in 1993

When one asked the Newberry High graduate how he got into the fire service, he replies, “It just happened.”

But he admits the people he hung out with as a youth played a big role in his future career.

Mohler is married to Lynn and they have three children, Sarah, Laura and Noah.

When Mohler is not at the fire department he says he is playing golf or being a dad.

He also attends Trinity United Methodist Church.