Five decades strong.

A feat accomplished by only a select few.

After 50 years of volunteer service to the Lehighton Fire Department, Paul Mriss is in exclusive company.

For his service and dedication to the department, Mriss was recognized on Tuesday as the Lehighton Fire Department’s Firefighter of the Year.

Borough fire Chief Pat Mriss, Paul’s son, said it was a special night for the fire department to honor one of its own.

“Fifty years, I couldn’t even begin to imagine,” Pat said. “It would have been easy to say ‘let someone else take care of it’, or ‘let someone else handle it.’”

Pat Mriss said that his father is among the “Fab Four” of borough firefighters who’ve either reached or are closing in on 50 years of service to the department.

“It’s unbelievable that we have four members that have reached (or will reach) 50 years of dedicated service with our fire department,” he said.

Charles McGarvey, Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner, presented Paul Mriss with a certificate and told him his service has made a difference in the lives of many.

“Think of the many lives that you’ve touched,” said McGarvey, who added those individuals are better because of Paul’s involvement.

Timm Berger, who represented the office of state Rep. Doyle Heffley, presented Paul Mriss with a citation from the state House of Representatives.

Mriss began his service with the department in August 1972.

Carbon County Commissioners Chairman Wayne Nothstein, who himself has over 50 years with the borough fire department, noted all of Paul’s accomplishments.

Nothstein then presented Paul with a resolution from the county commissioners.

Borough Manger Steven Travers then thanked Mriss for his service on behalf of the borough.

Travers said it’s people such as Mriss who make a difference in their communities, and for whom he looked up to as he began his career in the public service arena.

Afterward, the fire department presented Mriss with a years of service award plaque.

“I want to thank everybody,” Mriss said as he choked up. “My wife, (Ruth Ann) for putting up with this for all these years.”

Mriss, who serves as safety officer, added, “it’s been a great ride for 50 years.”

“We all came from families that had people that were firefighters as well,” he said. “My two boys (Pat and assistant fire Chief Michael Mriss), hopefully they’ll be here for 50 years.”

Afterward, Mriss explained why he volunteers.

“Mainly because I like helping people, I like doing stuff for the community,” he said. “I think it’s important that people do things for the community and for others.

“I grew up in a family that did those kinds of things, my wife’s family did those kinds of things as well. I might my wife through the fire company.”

Mriss shared what he said is his best memory.

“Having my two sons (Pat and Michael) come in,” he said.

Mriss described the worst fire that he can recall during his tenure.

“One was back in 1973 when the oil tank blew up down by the sewer plant,” he said. “We had three guys injured that belonged to (fire company) No. 2 at the time; that was the hardest.

“The other thing that’s always hard is when you have someone that dies in a fire. I’ve had two or three that died in a fire; those you don’t forget.”