Time to lay down the hose
Fire officer retires after more than three decades on the job
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, April 9, 2014
RANKIN INLET
A career of more than three decades battling flames, passing on knowledge and teaching fire prevention will come to a close in Rankin Inlet when assistant fire marshal Allan Smith boards a plane to retirement April 30.
Assistant fire marshal Allan Smith will be spending his golden years just 60 km down the road in New Liskeard.- Darrell Greer/NNSL photo |
A special gathering was held at the Rankin fire hall April 3 to thank Smith for his more than eight years of service in Rankin and wish him well in retirement.
Smith, 54, originally from Kirkland Lake, Ont., will be spending his golden years just 60 km down the road in New Liskeard.
Smith said after 33 years in a uniform, the time was right to retire.
Smith said he leaves Rankin Inlet with nothing but fond memories of the community.
"I've always worked well with the guys here," said Smith.
"Whenever I went on inspections, I always dragged somebody along with me.
"And, whenever there was a fire scene, I was always there to give any help I could.
"I don't think I'm leaving with any loose ends, and there's nothing I would have done differently during my time here."
Smith said volunteer firefighters are better trained in the Kivalliq than when he first arrived in the region.
He said as a result, they're far better prepared for whatever they encounter at a fire scene than they were almost a decade ago.
"All the communities have received more-updated equipment during my time here, so that's also a significant improvement.
"My wife, Fernande, has been with me the whole time here and also enjoyed our years in Rankin.
"She's ready to head home now, too, though. It's time."
Smith said he let the office of the fire marshal know he'd be willing to come back and help with training courses in Nunavut.
That is, as long as he's not asked too soon.
"I plan to spend May, June and July sitting by my pool, drinking beer from a long-neck bottle.
"I walked into my first fire hall in CFB Downsview in Toronto, Ont., in June of '82 and the years have gone by incredibly fast.
"It doesn't seem possible that was more than 30 years ago."
