In his 23 years at Bethlehem Steel, Rodney Schaffer’s work was deeply respected. As a key member of the Steel’s Fire Department, he was first-responder accredited, and he was often the one on standby for the night shift.

“One of the top emergencies was the guy on the lottery car that charges the furnaces,” says Rodney. “He would burn the wooden railroad ties up, sometimes three times a week.”

Rodney stood ready to put out the fires, from his post at the Main Bethlehem Steel Fire Station on Third Street, and later from the Emory Street Station. He also recalls cleaning and sanitizing respirators for the plant and testing fire extinguishers daily.

Finding His Groove at Gracedale

Last April, Rodney moved from assisted living in Allentown to Gracedale in Nazareth, and he quickly found his groove.

“I started doing the daily announcements every morning at 9 a.m.,” he says. “When I first heard my voice over the loudspeaker I thought, ‘That couldn’t be me!’ It’s funny hearing your own voice. “

He announces the daily weather, resident and staff birthdays, the menu, and all of the events, in addition to a daily quote. His new post is the thing Rodney enjoys most about Gracedale, in addition to the daily activities he attends such as concerts, movies and Bingo.

At the Ready

Each morning like clockwork, you’ll find him at his regular post at the phone just outside the Gracedale Human Resources office, next to the fire extinguisher, ready to lead the charge for the day.