Ceremony to open Loveland’s new fire station was wonderful

By Chuck Gibson

LOVELAND, OH (June 3, 2026) – The procession from old Loveland Downtown Fire Station 63 to the new Chief Otto J. Huber Station 63 took place Saturday afternoon, May 30, 2026, but it is a story that began more than 50 years ago.

The new Loveland Fire Station 63 was officially dedicated in honor of Chief Otto J. Huber and put into service beginning with a ceremonial procession from the old Station #63 Firehouse at the corner of E. Loveland Ave and 2nd Street one block up to the new Chief Otto J. Huber Station #63 at 220 E. Loveland Ave. Following arrival at the new station, a formal dedication celebration took place inside with a large crowd of spectators as well as many State and Local dignitaries on hand to honor Chief Huber and formally “cut the ribbon” to officially open the new station.

The one-block procession served to represent a much longer journey of service which began more than 50 years ago when Otto J. Huber began serving the community as a firefighter cadet at the age of 16. His unwavering service to the residents of Loveland as a firefighter, Chief and community leader led directly to this sun-drenched Saturday, May 30, 2026 honoring his accomplishments during an exemplary firefighting career. His name on the New Station 63 Tower facade stands as testament to his distinguished service of care and protection for the residents.  

The procession from old to new featured Loveland firefighters dressed in formal uniform led by Chief Otto J. Huber as they marched from “Old 63” to the new Chief Huber Station 63. The procession included the historic horse-drawn steam fire engine and the marching Cincinnati Pipe & Drum Corps playing the familiar bagpipe parade sounds as they passed along the one-block stretch of E. Loveland Avenue lined by a throng of onlookers. Some gather purposefully to honor Chief Huber and see the opening of the new Station 63 named in his honor. Others stumbled onto the scene and watched with delight on a warm sunny Saturday afternoon. 

Even with the inconvenience of a temporary road closure of E. Loveland Avenue, people seemed to enjoy the surprise treat of a parade – especially one with a horse-drawn fire engine, bagpipers and firefighters in their “dress blues”.

They say every story has a beginning, middle and end. We’ve arrived at the middle of this special story about a new firehouse and the man for whom it was named. Spectators who lined the streets for the procession moved toward the station and looked with awe as they saw the front of the modern fire station and the tower bearing the name of the honored Chief Huber. The younger kids all headed directly over to pet the horse pulling the old fire engine while the adults moved inside the firehouse where chairs neatly filled the space where fire equipment and paramedic units would soon stand at the ready for the next emergency call. 

Loveland-Symmes Fire Department (LSFD) Executive Officer Captain Bruce Hawk brought the station house to order as he stepped to the podium to greet everyone and introduced Loveland Mayor Kathy Bailey to officially begin the festivities. After introducing nearly every dignitary on hand from State, County, City and national organizations (there were a lot of them), Mayor Bailey read a proclamation officially naming the New Fire Station 63 as the Chief Otto J. Huber Station 63. She also offered remarks acknowledging the 50-plus years of dedicated, faithful service of Chief Huber and the positive impact he’s had on the community of Loveland and the community of firefighters in that span of time.

“We’re just very proud of our fire department,” said Bailey. “We love that fire station and its history, it was time. I think we outdid ourselves with a truly beautiful building. The icing on the cake is naming it after our esteemed Fire Chief Otto J. Huber. There’s no better name for this building. His name is synonymous with excellence in firefighting service; certainly in this community. We’re just thrilled about this building, this day and I think it was standing room only we really appreciate everybody coming out to celebrate with us.” 

The proclamations and commendations didn’t end with Mayor Bailey. Many other dignitaries took their turn at the podium each with high praise for Chief Huber, for the new fire station and what it means to public safety for the community. Representatives for U.S. Senator from Ohio Jon Husted, as well as Ohio Representative Jean Schmidt, the Clermont County Sheriff’s Department and even the U.S.D.A presented plaques, certificates and proclamations. Loveland-Symmes Fire Department thanked Loveland city officials with plaques for their role in getting the new fire house built. Along with Mayor Bailey, members of City Council past and present and City Manager Dave Kennedy received recognition from LSFD. Kennedy offered comment on working with Chief Huber over the years.

“Chief Huber has been here for over 50 years and I’ve had – honor isn’t even the word – to work with him for my 12 years here,” said Kennedy. “He is the epitome of excellence. I’ve watched what he does constantly – how can we make this operation better – how that translates to our residents public safety is something really special. It’s really been an honor to get to know him.”

Kennedy also commented on what the new fire station means to the city.

 “I think it is one more cog this city does to be that well-rounded community,” Kennedy said. “This is just another step for what we do for our residents, our businesses for public safety; police, fire. This will be here for many years. We were able to use some of the funding for an ambulance and a new fire truck which came late 2025. To me, as City Manager who works closely with the mayor and council, this represents how they feel about public safety and that’s what this building is all about.”  

This was not the end for Chief Otto J. Huber. He remains active serving as Chief of the Loveland-Symmes Fire Department. Though retirement may not be far off, he’s not saying exactly when that may be. He did have his opportunity to address the crowd and bring this story to an end when Executive Officer Captain Bruce Hawk called him to the podium to say a few words. Emotions were clearly running high for the Chief as he stepped to the microphone to offer thanks for the distinguished honor of having the new station named Chief Otto J. Huber Station 63 in recognition of his distinguished service to firefighting, public safety and the community of Loveland, Ohio. He expressed his gratitude for the recognition while choosing to focus on all the others who have worked with him over the 50-plus years for the good of the fire department and the community. Chief Huber very humbly accepted the honor bestowed upon him but made it clear it was the effort of many, not him alone.

“Thank you, it’s quite an honor,” said Huber. “I’ve been very blessed, blessed by this community, the leaders of this community and the great firefighters I work with every day and the people that came before me and set the foundation for this organization. I just tried to keep that moving in the right direction.”

His career here, the day honoring it and giving back means a lot to him.

 “When you’ve spent a whole lifetime in one place with one group of people for one community; this is an amazing community,” Huber said. “I’ve been proud to be part of this community, not just the fire department, but community itself. We have something that’s really special here in Loveland. I’m really honored to be part of that. I think it’s important we lead by example and do the important things and give back to the community. That’s what I’ve always tried to do. You give back to the community, you’re part of the community.”

With his name on the front of the Fire Station 63 tower, Chief Otto J. Huber has cemented his place as a revered and distinguished member of the Loveland community. 

NOTE: Click on the photos below to view a full gallery of photos from the Chief Otto J. Huber Station 63 dedication ceremony Saturday, May 30, 2026.