Retiring and long-time firefighters honoured by department

Retirees honoured at last Friday night’s Amherstburg Fire Department recognition banquet were (front row, from left): Capt. Nick Renaud, Capt. Adam Mann and Capt. B.J. Wilder. Back row (from left): Capt. Dave Varney, Capt. Tom Morand, Capt. Bill Scott and Firefighter B.J. Wiley.

Long-serving members of the Amherstburg Fire Department, including seven retiring members, have been recognized.

The fire department held its recognition banquet last Friday night at Coachwood Golf & Country Club in McGregor with seven retirees who have left the department since the last banquet honoured. 

Capt. Bill Scott, Capt. Tom Morand, Capt. Dave Varney, Capt. B.J. Wilder, Capt. Nick Renaud, Capt. Adam Mann and Firefighter B.J. Wiley were this year’s group of retirees that were recognized. 

Retiring members were paid tribute to not just the entire department and dignitaries, but their friends and colleagues. District Chief Jason Durocher recognized Scott, after thanking the large crowd for turning out last Friday night.

Durocher pointed out Scott’s dedication, integrity and commitment to the fire service over the 31 years Scott served.

“That is over 31 years of carrying that pager,” he said.

Durocher pointed out firefighters carry their pagers 24/7 and respond to calls at all times of days, regardless of holidays, personal commitments or family gatherings. The families, including Scott’s family, were also recognized for their support.

“We owe you a lifetime of gratitude for the sacrifices you have made,” he said.

Scott and his family moved to Amherstburg from Thunder Bay in 1993 and he joined the Amherstburg Fire Department in 1994. He also served as an officer with the Ontario Provincial Police from 1987-2014, during which a lot of time with the search and rescue and marine units, and brought many of those skills brought to the fire department. 

Durocher said Scott is always willing to share his knowledge and teach others, adding his son Duncan is now also an Amherstburg firefighter. Praising Scott’s leadership, Durocher added it was an occasion to mark his lifetime of service.

Mann honoured his colleague Wilder, pointing out Wilder served 15 years with the fire department and showed a dedication to the job that was very strong. Mann stated Wilder’s commitment, decency, morality and loyalty were demonstrated regularly during his time with the fire department, adding he is also a good friend that can be turned to and spoken with.

“He shows up, checks in and genuinely cares,” said Mann, of Wilder.

Members of the Amherstburg Fire Department, retired and active, celebrate at the recognition banquet at Coachwood Golf & Country Club Sept. 12.

Through it all, Mann said Wilder has been solid and dependable. He added that Wilder has been a mentor, leader, brother and friend. Mann said he found Wilder to be a “person you respect and can’t stay mad at.”

“You left a mark on the department and me personally,” said Mann.

Mann was joined at the podium by Capt. Ken Rivait in paying tribute to Wilder, who is also the town’s manager of licensing and enforcement.

District Chief Rick Wismer paid tribute to two retiring firefighters, the first being Morand. Morand spent 29 years with the fire department, starting with the Malden Fire Department before coming over to the Amherstburg Fire Department.

“From the beginning, he embodied everything you could ask for in a firefighter and teammate,” Wismer said of Morand. “He didn’t just respond to calls, he did it with professionalism and a steady hand.”

Morand talked about retiring earlier than when he did, but stayed on because he liked it and wanted to keep working with his son. A special moment was when he “passed the torch” to his son, who also earned the title of captain.

"The fire department was fortunate to have Morand as a member," he said. 

“Tom’s presence on any call made a difference,” said Wismer.

Wismer also honoured Varney, who spent over 26 years with both the Malden and Amherstburg Fire Departments. Varney was a “great fit” at Station 3 and carried himself without a lot of fanfare.

“He was unshakeable,” Wismer said of Varney. “He was the quiet do-er.”

Varney was someone who didn’t have to be worried about on the scene and was always professional and dedicated. He was also known for having various machining and welding tools from his day job, with Wismer joking Varney had whatever was needed no matter what.

“If anyone needed something, no matter how strange or specific, Dave had three of them,” said Wismer.

On a more serious note, Wismer said Varney has a huge heart and would undertake various tasks, such as snow removal from parking lots, without looking for any recognition. Work being done quietly like that was just “Dave being Dave.”

Renaud was honoured by Lt. John Bondy, with Bondy pointing out Renaud spent 13 years with the fire department. Bondy said of Renaud “it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog” and that Renaud’s friendship, generosity, kindness, and intellect were things he enjoyed. 

In addition to others who recently retired, Bondy said “I refuse to accept you have retired” and never imagined himself making that speech, a tribute to Renaud and his other retiring colleagues and friends.

“We’re still holding out hope that you guys are going to make a comeback,” said Bondy.

Renaud was someone who “always had your back” and Bondy said that is one of the things he will remember of Renaud’s service with the Amherstburg Fire Department.

Capt. Brad Renaud paid tribute to Mann, the latter having 12 years of dedicated service with the Amherstburg Fire Department. 

“From the very beginning, Adam showed up ready to learn, work and serve,” said Renaud.

Mann was credited for helping to foster the family environment within the Amherstburg Fire Department, often opening his home to his colleagues and friends from all three fire stations. Renaud said Mann always wanted to bring everyone closer and get to know them better.

Renaud recalled training with Mann and the impact that he had.

“You left the department stronger than you found it,” Renaud told Mann.

Training officer Nick D’Amore paid tribute to Wiley. D’Amore recalled sitting with him in the police station in 2014 while both were serving as police officers, and talking about taking their community service further by becoming firefighters.

“We made the leap together,” said D’Amore.

As a firefighter, Wiley was credited for being steady, dependable and able to learn quickly. 

“From Day 1, he didn’t hesitate,” said D’Amore. “He got in there, didn’t back down and did the job.”

Wiley left behind a legacy of professionalism, commitment and dedication within the Amherstburg Fire Department, he added, as well as a friendship that will last a lifetime.

The retirees were also honoured by Chief Michael Mio, Essex MP Chris Lewis, Essex MPP Anthony Leardi, Mayor Michael Prue, CAO Valerie Critchley, Deputy Chiefs Ron Meloche and Dan Monk and their colleagues.

Service Awards were presented to Durocher and District Chief Randy Wismer (30 years); Fire Prevention Officers Mario Fiorito and Rivait (15 years); D’Amore, Capt. Corey Vultaggio, Lt. Grant Wood, Capt. Chris Capaldi and Lt. Dave Bart (10 years) and Lt. Kyle Watts, Firefighter Jeremy Pillon, Firefighter Jamie Lauzon, Firefighter Chris Wismer, Firefighter Bill Thompson and Firefighter Todd Racine.

The Beyond the Pager Award went to Capt. Kristi Meloche and Firefighter Tyler Labrecque for assisting a person they worked with at a call. They transported a wheelchair to Leamington hospital and arranged a trailer for transport to get the wheelchair there for the person in need.

The Most Committed in 2024 Award went to Jeremy Pillon, who attended 97 per cent of training and calls, with 100 per cent in training.

Retiring long-time firefighters honored by department

By Ron Giofu