Times sure have changed in the fire service world over the last half-century.

However, among the constants over that time has been the passion and leadership Larry Diehl has shown as a member of the Lehighton Fire Department.

Diehl, a 50-year member of the department, was recognized on Tuesday as the Lehighton Fire Department’s Firefighter of the Year.

Members of the fire department recognized Diehl’s 50 years of dedicated volunteer service within the department.

Department members, family and friends, borough council members came together with political entities to celebrate Diehl’s accomplishment.

Diehl, who is currently engineer, began his service with the department in 1974.

He became the department’s fourth member to reach the milestone in the past five years, joining Wayne Nothstein, Paul Mriss, and Gary Frable.

Diehl was presented with several citations, including from state Sen. David Argall’s office, state Rep. Doyle Heffley’s office, as well as the Carbon County Commissioners.

Also, Rory Koons, president of the Aquashicola Fire Department, presented Diehl with a letter of thanks and appreciation.

“I was very surprised by the attendance,” Diehl said. “There were a lot of people I didn’t really expect, older firefighters that I’ve served with, just about all the current guys that are active.”

In turn, Diehl, thanked his wife, Pat, and son, Dave, who was there along with his wife and children, as well as Diehl’s brother, Lynn and his wife.

Diehl then spoke about his first drill night when he showed up, how he didn’t rally know anyone other than fellow firefighter Frable, whom he grew up with as kids and had joined the department a year prior.

He also recounted everything from his first ambulance call he was on, riding on the tailboard of the firetruck, shifting gears and using clutch, all the training and state parades over the years, even responding to EMS calls in a Cadillac ambulance.

Diehl explained what keeps him going with the department all these years later.

“I’m very interested in the apparatus and equipment, knowing that we’re pretty in touch with new technology,” he said. “I just like to work with the young people that join the fire department, just make them feel welcome, hope that they stick around.”

Diehl shared some sage advice he gives young firefighters.

I tell them if there’s anything in life they’d like to do, they should do it before they get old,” he said. “You go to bed one night and you’re 25, and wake up (one day) and you’re 65.”