Retired BGFD Capt. Sanborn honored at drill tower dedication
Published 6:00 am Thursday, April 24, 2025
Bowling Green Fire Department retired Capt. Bob Sanborn is greeted by BGFD staff and city officials as the department reveals the new name of the recently remodeled Drill Tower behind Station 5 on Porter Pike in honor of his help with the BGFD training division on Wednesday morning, April 23, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Bowling Green Fire Department retired Capt. Bob Sanborn talks with BGFD staff and city officials after the department revealed the new name of the recently remodeled Drill Tower behind Station 5 on Porter Pike in honor of his help with the BGFD training division on Wednesday morning, April 23, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Bowling Green Fire Department retired Capt. Bob Sanborn is greeted by BGFD staff and city officials as the department reveals the new name of the recently remodeled Drill Tower behind Station 5 on Porter Pike in honor of his help with the BGFD training division on Wednesday morning, April 23, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Bowling Green Fire Department staff and city officials join retired Capt. Bob Sanborn as the department reveals the new name of the recently remodeled Drill Tower behind Station 5 on Porter Pike in honor of his help with the BGFD training division on Wednesday morning, April 23, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
The Bowling Green Fire Department reveals the new name of the recently remodeled Drill Tower behind Station 5 on Porter Pike as the Bob Sanborn Drill Tower in honor of retired Capt. Bob Sanborn’s help with the BGFD training division on Wednesday morning, April 23, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Bowling Green Fire Department retired Capt. Bob Sanborn thanks BGFD staff and city officials as the department reveals the new name of the recently remodeled Drill Tower behind Station 5 on Porter Pike as the Bob Sanborn Drill Tower in honor of his help with the BGFD training division on Wednesday morning, April 23, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Bowling Green Fire Department retired Capt. Bob Sanborn expresses emotion as the department reveals the new name of the recently remodeled Drill Tower behind Station 5 on Porter Pike as the Bob Sanborn Drill Tower in honor of his help with the BGFD training division on Wednesday morning, April 23, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Bowling Green City Manager Jeff Meisel and Bowling Green Fire Department Assistant Chief of Prevention Jason Brooks look up to admire the recently remodeled Drill Tower behind Station 5 as the tower’s new name as the Bob Sanborn Drill Tower is revealed in honor of retired Capt. Bob Sanborn’s help with the BGFD training division on Wednesday morning, April 23, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Bowling Green Fire Department staff and city officials join retired Capt. Bob Sanborn as the department reveals the new name of the recently remodeled Drill Tower behind Station 5 on Porter Pike in honor of his help with the BGFD training division on Wednesday morning, April 23, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Bowling Green Fire Department retired Capt. Bob Sanborn thanks BGFD staff and city officials as the department reveals the new name of the recently remodeled Drill Tower behind Station 5 on Porter Pike as the Bob Sanborn Drill Tower in honor of his help with the BGFD training division on Wednesday morning, April 23, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Bowling Green Fire Department retired Capt. Bob Sanborn expresses emotion as the department reveals the new name of the recently remodeled Drill Tower behind Station 5 on Porter Pike as the Bob Sanborn Drill Tower in honor of his help with the BGFD training division on Wednesday morning, April 23, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
The Bowling Green Fire Department reveals the new name of the recently remodeled Drill Tower behind Station 5 on Porter Pike as the Bob Sanborn Drill Tower in honor of retired Capt. Bob Sanborn’s help with the BGFD training division on Wednesday morning, April 23, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Bowling Green Fire Department retired Capt. Bob Sanborn has molded dozens of firefighters in the nearly 20 years since his retirement from the city, training new recruits year after year.
Sanborn isn’t one to tout his accomplishments, but BGFD is more than eager to do that for him, naming the newly renovated drill tower at its Station 5 on Porter Pike in his honor.
BGFD Chief Justin Brooks surprised Sanborn Wednesday morning, bringing him to the site of the tower, where he was met by numerous BGFD firefighters and staff and the tarp was lifted for him to see his name on the structure where he continues to teach.
“I’m totally shocked and surprised,” Sanborn said. “I’m one of those guys who likes to be in the shadows because it’s not about me, I’m here to try to make rock stars out of anyone interested in the fire service.”
According to Sanborn, Brooks managed to keep the secret from him by leading him to believe that there was some asbestos abatement to be conducted at the drill tower while it was undergoing renovations.
The chief asked Sanborn to meet him at a restaurant Wednesday morning and then travel to the tower with him for what Sanborn believed was a tour of the renovations in progress.
Instead, Sanborn arrived at the tower with Brooks for a celebration that left him humbled and gratified.
“He’s been a pillar in our profession,” Brooks said. “He meets our mission and we couldn’t think of a better honor for him and his legacy that he’s still living today. We’re grateful for him and we owe him so much and today he’s still paying it forward. This is a special day and it’s earned and it’s deserved forever.”
BGFD conducts various training exercises at the drill tower, which opened in 1980 along with Station 5.
Structural renovations of the tower have progressed in tandem with the construction of a new Station 5 building that will also serve as the joint city police and fire public safety training center, and the tower also underwent cosmetic renovations to match the new-look Station 5.
“He was here teaching my recruit class and there’s not one person standing here today that he hasn’t had an effect on,” Brooks said. “His reach is wide, he’s cast his net and he’s caught us.”
