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RTA SOG JST 4 HT EER EE ls aa RES SiS ey Sb Lae 12- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, June 30, 1992 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" After 35 years service on Scugoq Fire Department Deputy Chief Lown retires from Hall #1 Scugog Fire Department Hall #1 is less one dedicated fireman as Deputy Chief Charlie Lown retired from the fire depart- ment earlier this year, after 35 years. Deputy Chief Lown started on the volunteer fire depart- ment in 1957 at the age of 27. When he joined there were about 15 firemen on the force under the leadership of chief Guy Raines. The department was equipped with two trucks at the station, which was located at the Old Town Hall under the Gossard factory. "The department had two trucks at the time I joined. One was an old oil truck converted to a tanker," he said. Since joining the department 35 years ago, 62-year-old Depu- ty Chief Lown said things have really changed. "Back when I started we were called to few accidents or large fires. It was mainly a lot of grass and brush fires," he said. Today the fire department re- sponds to calls of fire, accidents, floodings, water rescues and drownings, hydro wires and am- bulance assists, as well as many other calls. In 1964 the fire department moved to its present location on Crandell Street as the need for more equipment, trucks and firemen increased. } According to Deputy - Chief Lown, Hall #1 currently has five trucks and one rescue boat. Its manpower has more than dou- bled from 15 firefighters in 1957 to more than 30 for the past sev- eral years. As Scugog Township grew, the need for more equipment and more advanced knowledge to fight fires became more nec- essary. "The firemen today are a lot more educated on fire emmis- sions and putting out fires. Thursday, July 9 Scugog Chamber of Commerce 20th Annual They are higher educated and better trained, and have to be, because there are a lot of dan- gerous chemicals out there," he added. Deputy Chief Lown said he joined the fire department be- cause he thought it would be a great way to serve his communi- ty. Once he joined he was there to stay as he found it a very en- Joyable and fulfilling part of his ife. His satisfaction of the volun- teer work was obvious to his family. Deputy Chief Lown passed on his dedication for the fire department to his three sons Wayne, Dale and Dean who have each been members of Scugog Hall #1 for nine, four and five years respectively. Although many firemen do not have a great deal of training when they begin on the fire de- partment, Deputy Chief Lown brought some rescue experience with him. "During the war, when I lived in England I was trained in res- cue work. That experience helped me a great deal with my work at the department," he said. He is also trained in first aid, was a member of Red Cross and St. John Ambulance. He also studied many rescue courses as well as EMO courses which teach Emergency Measures. His knowledge and years of dedication to the department earned him the unwaivering re- spect from all other members of Scugog Township's two fire de- partments. Up until the day he retired from the hall, Deputy Chief Lown was a vital part of the de- partment. As well as making sure the crews were organized and prepared at all emergen- cies, he was often seen pulling hoses and preparing equip- g-ca-ilong? Admission is $2.00 at door om 7:30pm to 1:00am at Lakefront Festival Tent ment. Retiring didn't stop him from entering burning buildings. While in Florida at his winter home this year the house across the road burst into flames. In- Deputy Chief Charlie Lown stinct and knowledge came to the forefront as he entered the home and carried a man out to safety before the fire depart- ment had even arrived. "We (firemen) are here to pre- serve lives then property. The lives of those inside buildings are the most important," he said. : Over the years he has carried several people from the centre of blazes and has saved count- less dollars in property damage, but he says that is what being a fireman is all about. Although Deputy Chief Lown stresses the safety of the men is Friday, July 10 from 7:30pm to 1:00am at Latcham Centre Saturday, July 11 from 7:30pm to 1:00am at Latcham Centre WAVANNY [PRIAES 10) [313 WADING TATE ETN Tw ~~ always the most important thing, even he has received his battle scars. He remembers one incident several years ago at a house fire in Prince Albert. "It was a kitchen fire and an aersol can on the counter ex- ploded which blew burning wood down the inside of my uni- form," he said. Over the course of 36 years he has seen more than his share of the destruction that fire causes. He said the longest fire the crews ever attended was in March of 1982 when Gerry's Distributing caught fire. Fifty firemen from three depart- ments went through 200,000 gallons of water fighting that blaze. "The hottest blaze was when one of Peel's Poultry Barns burnt. It was so hot it melted the lights off the top of the fire trucks," he said. Although Scugog Township continues to grow and the occur- ences of fires increases, Deputy Chief Lown said Scugog Town- ship Fire Department is well equipped for what it deals with today. "Currently it is well equipped, but the town must re- alize that as time goes by, every- thing needs to be updated. Everything becomes more so- phisticated and the fire depart- ment must combat that sophis- tication with sophisticated equipment," hesaid. Of the department he is leav- ing behind, Deputy Chief Lown has nothing but praise for the men who serve as volunteer fire- men in this community. "This township should be proud of both its fire depart- ments. These men putin a lot of time at the hall. It is a time con- suming and a very dangerous job. Itis not a game," he told the Star. Deputy Chief Lown offered his advice to new firemen. "They must realize that they have tobe dedicated." "They must pay attention to what they are being taught. It can very well save your life," he said. Tim's Renovations & Maintenance Serving Residential & Commercial wig SETAE hw . 985-4501 Painting & Wallpaper « Carpentry - Rec Rooms * Drywall * Electrical « Plumbing « Ceramic Tiles « Bathrooms 15% SENIOR DISCOUNT Ra sie 24 HR. SERVICE - REFERENCES UPON REQUEST ~a MEMBER OF SCUGOG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBER OF WHITBY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 432-0641 mone | Scugog Chamber of Commerce 20th Annual H FS ¥ 3: bs 3 B : $56 1 H 3 ad 'EE : i Ni IAW" 18 1] \ { (3 | 3 ) : | \ H | } i | | Ll] 000g AOOOOOCOLE TEIN HOY RAEN --y | / Located on the Old Arena Pad Downtown Port Perry & THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY JULY 9, 10, 11, 12 Operated by Crown Amusements CR Ee ody. - yA b AF rah bate dor - | ~ 3 1 00 A w RNIVAL 4