Blaine W. Horn got the Final Call Home on Sept. 11.

The Slatedale fire chief served in the Army in the Vietnam War era, was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska, where he learned all about firefighting and the trade of fire extinguishers. When he came home he began to work for Kistler, a fire protection company.

He took over as chief of the Slatedale Fire Company in 1971 and remained in office for 40 years ago.

He became a forest fire warden in 1975 and assistant state police fire marshal in 1976. Horn then went out on his own and started B.W. Horn Fire Protection in 1979. A company that serves Lehigh, Carbon and Northampton counties with fire extinguishers and fire equipment, with 24/7 service. Horn was also the EMA assistant director for Washington Township with George Kern. Horn’s son Mike was his assistant chief for many years. Chief Horn was in the fire service for 61 years.

The service at the cemetery had the crossed ladders from Neffs Fire Company and Germansville Fire Company. The attendance was truly wonderful.

There was eight pallbearers: Tito Burgos, fire chief of Emerald; Joel Merkel, fire chief of Friedens; Jay Scheffler, fire chief of Germansville; James Steward, fire chief of Neffs; Jason Lindtner, past fire chief for New Tripoli; Brandon Danner, deputy fire chief for Slatedale; Ron Hausman, assistant fire chief, Slatington; and Mike Wentz, Walnutport.

Horn’s business will stay in the family.

His grandson Joey Horn will take over with the assistance of Michelle Schramel, Horn’s daughter, and Mike Horn, Horn’s son.