Troy Schweigerath: A Legacy of Service and Leadership
By
Miranda
Ellis
editor@thepampanews.com
From the heat of Denver’s fires to the heart of Gray County’s emergency management, Troy Schweigerath’s journey is one of unwavering dedication and service. His 27-year tenure with the Denver Fire Department has been a testament to his commitment to public safety and community well-being.
“I was born in Denver, Colorado. I moved to Springtown, Texas when I was eleven and I stayed there until graduated high school,” Troy begins, recounting his early life and the path that led him to a career in firefighting. After earning a degree in business management administration from Pittsburg State University in Kansas, Troy’s professional journey took a pivotal turn. “From there, I moved to Denver, Colorado and in ‘94 joined the Denver Fire Department. I worked there until 2021,” he says, reflecting on the years of service that shaped his expertise in emergency response.
The transition to emergency management came unexpectedly after his retirement. “I thought I was going to just make furniture and be retired and work at the theater every once in a while,” Troy shares. But a higher calling seemed to have other plans for him. “Then I went on vacation and my friends had told me that this job was open, and I really believed that God told me to apply.”
Upon assuming the role of Gray County Emergency Management Coordinator, Troy was met with the formidable task of self-navigation through the complexities of his new position. With no predecessor to guide him and a scant job description, he delved into the depths of filing cabinets and absorbed every shred of information available. “The emergency operations plan that they did have was out of date by almost three years. So that was one of the first things I got thrust in the middle of,” he recalls. This period of intense self-education laid the groundwork for his adept handling of subsequent emergencies.
Troy’s adept leadership and strategic foresight were pivotal during the Smokehouse Creek Fire. His proactive measures and the relationships he had fostered with local emergency services were instrumental. “It’s taken me a long time, two and a half years so far, to establish relationships with (the local) fire and police (departments) and (Texas) DPS and all the emergency response groups in this area to gain their trust and to work with them on multiple incidents,” he recounts. His efforts have not only enhanced the community’s ability to respond to emergencies but also fostered a sense of unity and collaboration among various departments.
His approach to emergency management is not just about responding to crises but also about preventing them. “That’s the tough thing and that’s the biggest part of my job is always evaluating where our weaknesses are,” Troy explains. He emphasizes the importance of preparedness, “I’ll do a risk analysis matrix to really assess what our biggest threat to the city is and the surrounding areas and then I’ll usually come up with some type of training to address that threat and how we can get better at mitigating or preventing something like that happen.”
Troy’s narrative is one of dedication and leadership, a testament to the significant impact one person can have on the safety and unity of a community. “The biggest lesson that I learned probably the first couple months was what’s really important with this job is creating relationships,” he reflects. His legacy is built on a foundation of courage, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to excellence in public service.
