Volunteer firefighter reflects on long career
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Charlie Lemery beams when he recounts his nearly 50 years as a volunteer firefighter in Waterford.
“You never quit learning,” he says.
Lemery and fellow firefighter Dave Thomson were honoured at a retirement party last month.
Lemery officially retired May 31 but was given the title of honorary member of the Waterford Firefighters Association.
“I go to meetings and practices,” he says. “I like to add my two-cents worth.”
Forty seven years ago, at age 20, Lemery became a volunteer firefighter with the Town of Waterford and saw it become the City of Nanticoke Fire Department, then the current Norfolk County Fire and Rescue as boundaries and local governments changed. While equipment has improved and technology upgraded, the core of the department – the dedicated men and women – remains the same.
“All of the chiefs I’ve worked with have been really good … each has added something to the department,” said Lemery.
He can recall the worst fires he has seen over his career, including 16 fatalities.
“I’ve seen them from as young as two to as old as 80 years.”
He said the tragedies can be hard on firefighters. “A lot of them don’t last once they see their first fatality.”
One blaze that remains vivid is the massive Hagersville tire fire in 1990 that burned for 17 days, spewing heavy smoke that could be seen for miles.
“I only spent three days at the Hagersville fire,” he says.
“Since then there are more rules in place regarding the manufacturing of tires. Rubber burns so hot and water can’t put it out. It has to be cooled before you can put it out”.
Over his years, Lemery acknowledges missing out on birthday parties and other family events because of his firefighting duties. He says his wife, Bonnie, has shown a lot of patience.
“Family does suffer — it takes real dedication.”
Lemery, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2015, has praise for his fellow firefighters.
“I wouldn’t have made it so long without the guys here — especially with the cancer.”
He also gives credit to his former employers, Joe Szwedo and Rick Chuli. “Employers don’t have to let you go to answer a fire call but mine never ever stopped me.”
Lemery says he looks forward to spending more time with family and maybe doing a few day trips.
He says the community is well served by the current contingent of volunteer firefighters.
“We’re very lucky to have all of them.”
Brenda Dredge is a freelance writer who lives in Waterford. E-mail her at brenda.dredge@sympatico.ca.
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