It is a bittersweet day for Moncton Fire Deputy Chief Don McCabe. He officially retires today after 35 years in the department.
On cold days like this, it triggers memories of the many fires fought in conditions like this. He says firefighters don’t quit until the fire is out, “I’ve seen firefighters soaking wet, at minus 20, with a chill factor of minus 30. They are sweating and they go into a fire that is fully involved at 200 degrees, and then they come back out into that cold environment again, but they can’t and don’t say, “I’m done.’ There are no breaks in firefighting. When there was down time, there was down time, but when it was time to go into action, they did. They’ll stand up to all of the environmental conditions. When everyone is running out, we’re running in, that’s the old expression.”
McCabe worked his way up the ranks, from firefighter to Officer, to training Officer and then a Division Chief. He has been deputy Chief for 13 years.
His decision to retire came a little earlier than expected, due to a medical issue.
