Powell River Fire Rescue (PRFR) chief Dan Ouellette hung up his red coat for the last time Friday, April 29.
After 31 years with the city’s fire department, Ouellette retired his post; he had been chief since taking over the department in 2008.
“It’s time to move along and let some others take the reins,” said Ouellette. “Powell River’s been a great city to work for.”
Ouellette said he has not made any definitive plans for the future as of yet, other than taking his travel trailer out for some camping this summer and “getting a feel for retirement.”
Ouellette began his professional career with PRFR on May 1, 1985. “I came on as a rookie and worked my way up the system,” he said.
He was promoted to deputy fire chief in 1999, with his first project to prepare for Y2K, a computer operating system glitch that was supposed to bring the city to its knees. “What an absolute bust that was,” he said.
Looking back at his career, Ouellette said a few highlights stand out, but he said he is proud to have seen firefighter safety improve during his tenure.
“When I came on safety was pretty loose,” he said. “There wasn’t a lot of regulatory people looking out for you and we did things we wouldn’t consider doing today.”
In terms of training and equipment, the department has come a long way, he added.
“When I started, the worry was dying in a fire,” he said. “Now it’s getting cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder. I’m not sure which is worse.”
Huge strides have been made during those 30 years, he said.
Deputy fire chief Terry Peters said working with Ouellette over the years has been a pleasure. “As a mentor goes, you really couldn’t ask for more,” said Peters.
Ouellette said if he has any wisdom to impart for his department on his leaving it is to “stay true to your work ethic and your professionalism and life will take care of you.”
Peters said the city has started its hiring process looking for Ouellette’s replacement and the chief’s departure leaves “a huge hole in the department.”
