GREENVILLE — After 42 years of answering emergency calls, treating patients and mentoring future first responders, veteran paramedic and firefighter Tim Harshman is retiring from a career that has left a lasting impact on emergency medical services and fire departments throughout Darke County.
Harshman began his career with Union City, Ohio Fire and Rescue in 1984 after earning his firefighter certification that same year. He became a certified paramedic in 1986 and joined Greenville Township Emergency Services in 1995, where he has served for more than 30 years. He also worked part-time with Arcanum Rescue from 1998 to 2003.
Throughout his career, Harshman was known not only for providing exceptional patient care, but also for his commitment to educating future EMS professionals. As a Basic Trauma Life Support (BTLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) instructor, he spent countless hours training emergency responders and mentoring new paramedics.
Department leaders said Harshman’s knowledge, patience and willingness to teach helped shape generations of EMS personnel.
Assistant Chief Brian Phillips said Harshman played a key role in his own development when he was first hired.
“Tim Harshman was one of my field training officers when I was first hired, and I was fortunate to spend my shifts working alongside him,” Phillips said. “He played a significant role in my success in both fire and EMS, and words cannot adequately express how grateful I am for his mentorship.”
Phillips said Harshman was the type of partner every first responder wanted during high-pressure situations.
“Tim was the person you wanted by your side on critical calls,” Phillips said. “He remained calm under pressure, was always composed and consistently provided aggressive yet compassionate patient care.”
Beyond his clinical skills, Phillips said Harshman’s personality will be missed.
“I will always remember his sense of humor and the pleasure he had in giving me a hard time,” he said.
Phillips praised Harshman’s remarkable longevity in a demanding profession.
“A career in public safety takes an incredible physical and mental toll, and dedicating 42 years of service is truly remarkable,” Phillips said. “Tim’s commitment to his profession, his patients and those he mentored has left a lasting impact, and he will be greatly missed.”
Phillips added one final lighthearted observation about his longtime coworker.
“I have no doubt Tim will be playing golf every chance he gets,” Phillips said with a laugh. “I just hope retirement pays well enough to replace all the golf balls he’ll be losing.”
Chief Terry Shroder of Arcanum Rescue also praised Harshman’s dedication.
“He is a great paramedic, very loyal to the department,” Shroder said. “Tim was great to work with. It’s going to be a loss to see him retire. He did a lot for many departments over the years, and he is very dedicated to what he did.”
Greenville Township Emergency Services Chief Steve Winning said Harshman’s career is one few will ever match.
“Tim has been a mainstay for Darke County EMS and Fire since 1995 and has done a phenomenal job,” Winning said. “It’s unbelievable to think about that many years of service and how many patients he has transported with that much experience. It’s sad to see him go, but you’re happy for him too. He made it.”
For Harshman, retirement brings mixed emotions.
“It did — after 42 years it’s here, and I am ready to do this,” Harshman said.
He reflected on how unlikely his lengthy career seemed when he first became a paramedic.
“When I got my paramedic card in 1986, the average career expectancy for a paramedic was seven years, and now I am at 42.”
Asked whether it was difficult to walk away, Harshman admitted the decision was bittersweet.
“Both,” he said. “It’s tough to give it up, but it’s time to. I absolutely love the work. I love the community. I love the people I work with. I will miss it, but it’s time to. I want to play golf and do some other things, so it will be nice to transition into that phase.”
Harshman said he never expected emergency services to become a lifelong profession.
“I had no intention of making this a career,” he said. “I just kind of fell into it, and here we are 42 years later and I am still doing it.”
He encourages young people to consider careers in EMS and fire service.
“It’s a good, steady job with good pay and good benefits. You get to help people, and it’s different than any other job,” Harshman said.
As he closes one chapter and begins another, Harshman expressed gratitude to those who supported him throughout his career.
“I want to thank my kids, who have grown up with me being gone all the time, my family and my co-workers for putting up with me, but especially my family because they’re the ones that miss birthdays and the holidays,” he said. “It will be nice to be home for that.”
For the first time in more than four decades, Harshman is looking forward to spending the holidays at home.
“Finally, after all these years, I get to stay home for the holidays,” he said. “It’s hard being here and knowing your family is at a gathering and you’re here. It’s kind of sad. So yes, it’s going to be nice.”
Greenville Township Emergency Services also thanked Harshman’s family — wife Tracy Harshman, daughters Sha-Nelle Osornio and Sidney Harshman, and son Andrew Harshman — for the sacrifices they made throughout his career.
Department officials said Harshman’s professionalism, leadership, integrity and compassion have left a lasting legacy, not only through the thousands of patients he served, but also through the many EMS and fire professionals he mentored during his 42 years of public service.
