Chief of Woolwich Fire Department retiring after 42 years

KITCHENER -

The fire chief in Woolwich Township is retiring after more than four decades on the job.

Chief Dale Martin tweeted about his retirement on Saturday.

“I would like to thank all the fire fighters and all my colleagues that made my time memorable,” his tweet read in part.

After 42 years with Woolwich Fire I have decided I have 5 real good reasons to retire shown below. August 31 will be my last day as Fire Chief and I would like to thank all the fire fighters and all my colleagues that made my time memorable. pic.twitter.com/9tIKDpzaXZ

— Dale Martin (@100dale) August 28, 2021

Officials with the Township of Woolwich said in a tweet they will miss Martin as their fire chief.

“Enjoy your retirement,” the tweet said.

We will miss you as our Chief! But we know for certain, those 5 good reasons will be keeping you very busy! Enjoy your retirement! #WoolwichProud https://t.co/2lKQl9ViSB

— Township of Woolwich (@Woolwichupdates) August 28, 2021

Martin’s last day will be Aug. 31.

Martin is excited for what’s next. He said is taking it one day at a time.

“Tomorrow morning I’m going fishing,” laughed Martin.

He is also hoping he can volunteer at local hospitals to give back.

Some calls throughout Martin's career were unique.

“I remember rescuing raccoons out of a chimney,” Martin said.

Other calls hit hard. In 2013, he responded to a barn fire where a two-year-old boy was lost in the rubble.

“That was a tough one. We were on scene for four days,” said Martin.

A few months later that same year, flames gutted the historic St. Jacob’s Farmers Market and caused about $2 million in damage.

“We lost a big portion of it,” Martin said. “However the cattle barns where they had the sales, they were saved.”

His colleagues said no matter the tragedy, Martin always checked in with his staff.

“We are all in this together. We work as a team,” Martin said.

“When there’s a personal tragedy, or people have been through traumatic calls or even physical injuries or issues at home, Dale would always give you a ring and want to talk to you,” said Kieran Kelly, a colleague of his.

Kelly met Martin in 1978 when Martin started at the Elmira station. Martin worked there until 2006. During that time he held different roles like training officer, captain and deputy chief.

Kelly said one of his most memorable calls was in 2006 for an explosion at the former Crompton Chemical Plant in Elmira. Kelly said Martin showed up when he was supposed to off.

“He gave up a lot of family occasions, would leave early or cancel,” said Kelly.

Martin said part of the reason why he is retiring is to spend more time with his family.

Martin said what he will miss most is the friendships he’s formed

But some of those friends admitted, this might not be the last they’ll see of him.

“He just lives across the way here. Anytime there’s a siren no doubt he will stop by to see what’s going on,” said Kelly.