Edmund Geiger, 86, former chief of the Westlake Fire Department, died Oct. 20.

During his tenure as fire chief from 1958 to 1979, Geiger oversaw the rapid growth of the Fire Department.

When Geiger began as chief, there were three full-time firefighters. When he retired, the department had 25 full-time firefighters and paramedics.

He began the Fire Prevention Week program with children, to teach fire safety.

Geiger began the department's fire inspections of businesses and public buildings.

During his tenure, he also brought in the city's first new fire engine in 1960, the first ambulance in the mid-1960s, the first aeriel apparatus in 1974 and hired the city's first paramedics.

Geiger was born Dec. 13, 1925, in Lakewood to Clifford and Norma Geiger. He was a lifelong Westlake resident whose ancestors settled in Dover Township in the 1850s.

Geiger helped work the family farm in the Porter/Center Ridge Road area growing up. He was a top athlete and student at Dover High School, graduating in 1943.

He began his career as a volunteer firefighter in 1953, the same year he married his wife, Ann. He became one of the city's first three full-time firefighters in 1955.

Geiger became the first line officer in Westlake Fire Department history, being named Lieutenant in 1956.

Geiger is survived by daughters Bonnie Maynard (Mike) of Bay Village and Donna Wulff (Ron) of Lakewood. He was preceded in death by wife Ann.

Calling hours are from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24, at Jenkins Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Burial is at Evergreen Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church.