Miminegash fire chief retires after 45 years with department
The Miminegash Fire Department has an open-door policy for their recently retired chief. “They told me I’m always welcome to come back,” Wayne Gallant smiled.
He received presentations from the Community of Miminegash, the provincial and federal governments and from the fire department he’s been a part of for 45 years during a recent fire department appreciation night.
The program was hosted by the community and saw certificates from the three levels of government presented to all firefighters and Miminegash Firemenettes.
“I didn’t join it for the years,” Gallant said when asked if he were ever tempted to stay on for the 50-year milestone. “I joined to be a firefighter and I enjoyed what I did.”
During his final six years with the department, he served as chief.
He viewed the arrival of a new fire truck last July as one of his highlights.
He recalled that the department had just one truck when he joined in 1973. Looking around the fire hall, he noted the department is now well equipped with trucks and equipment.
He acknowledged the strong support the department receives from the Miminegash Firemenettes and the communities the department protects.
The firemenettes, he noted, provided $95,000 towards the purchase of the new fire truck, and continue to be a major contributor to the department. During the appreciation night, the department received a $5,000 contribution from the provincial government to assist with training costs and a $5,000 donation from the Tignish Credit Union.
Rob Tremblay has taken over as chief. He had served as deputy while Gallant was in command. “Firefighting is in his blood and always will be,” Chief Tremblay commented about the retiring chief.