After this many decades in the game, he’s pretty much seen and done it all.

With 50 years of volunteer service to the Lehighton Fire Department, Gary Frable finds himself in rarefied air.

For his milestone, Frable was recognized on Tuesday as the Lehighton Fire Department’s Firefighter of the Year.

Department members, family, borough Manager Dane DeWire and borough council President Grant Hunsicker joined political entities to celebrate Frable’s achievement.

Borough fire Chief Pat Mriss said that Frable, who is currently safety officer and Fire Chief Emeritus, began his service with the department in August 1973.

Since then, Mriss said Frable has held several positions, including lieutenant, captain, assistant fire chief, and fire chief.

He noted that Frable is the department’s third active member to reach the benchmark, and has “touched many lives.”

“Fifty years is hard to achieve,” Mriss said. “Unless you’re with the Lehighton Fire Department.”

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

He then thanked Frable’s wife, Betsy, daughter, Shannon Miller, and granddaughter, Kayla Troutman, for the sacrifices they’ve made as well

Joseph Bynum, NFIRS State Program Manager/CRR Specialist, presented Frable with several citations.

“Here’s to another 50 years,” Bynum said.

Carbon County Commissioner Rocky Ahner, presenting a resolution from commissioners, told Frable it’s people like him who make fire companies such a success.

State Sen. David Argall also presented a citation. He told Frable that a lot of volunteer organizations don’t make it because people get burnout, which makes it even all the more impressive to see the success Frable and the Lehighton Fire Department continue to have.

State Rep. Doyle Heffley presented a citation from the state House of Representatives, saying volunteering one’s time for 50 years is quite the achievement.

“At a time when volunteerism is so low, it’s wonderful to see,” Heffley said.

Afterward, the fire department presented Frable with a years of service award plaque as a sign of gratitude for his dedication to the department.

“I’d like to thank my family for their support all these years,” Frable said as he choked up.

He elaborated afterward and said of his family, “They were always there for me.”

Frable said that he’s witnessed it come full circle from the days when he was in charge.

“It’s a brotherhood,” he said. “The guys running it now, they were the younger guys.”

Frable said he takes great pride in knowing he played a role in that.

“Somewhere along the line, we must have done something right,” he said. “And they’re good at it.”