“He is well known throughout the Miami Valley community because he has taught and worked with so many people,” said Fire Chief Jack Keister.
During his time with the department, Chinn started as a volunteer fire fighter-paramedic in West Carrollton May 27, 1969. He became a lieutenant in December 1973 and ambulance coordinator in June 1976. He has served as a volunteer, paid-on-call and in a part-time capacity with the West Carrollton department.
“This job just gave me the chance to give back to my own community,” he said.
Chinn moved to Ohio from Virginia with the Air Force in 1960. He also worked as a paramedic supervisor with the city of Dayton Fire Department from 1965-90.
During this time, Chinn also taught CPR and emergency medical training to numerous firefighters and citizens throughout the Miami Valley. He began teaching First Aid in 1962.
“He has taught just about everybody in the Miami Valley at one time or another,” said Leanne Nash, West Carrollton’s EMS coordinator and fire prevention officer. “When you think about EMS training, Charlie Chinn automatically comes to mind.”
Chinn earned the Red Cross Volunteer of the Year award in 1992 and the Ohio Chapter Basic Training/Life Support Southwest Regional Provider of the Year in 1993.
In 2007, he was inducted into the West Carrollton Plaza of Fame.
“I just like being there to help someone in need,” Chinn said.
He said the first time he rode a fire truck and ambulance was in 1964.
Chinn attended the first paramedic school at Good Samaritan Hospital in 1970. He said the protocols in the EMS field have changed a lot during the years.
“I think that we are in the process of making a full circle in the evolution of the field,” he said. “We went through a technology-centered phase, and we’re coming back again to being centered on patient care first.”
Chinn plans to continue teaching EMS at Sinclair Community College and living in the area.