Blake Ellis/The Independent

Plympton-Wyoming’s Camlachie District Fire Chief Scott Jordan gave his final ‘over and out’ as dispatch honoured him after 47 years of service with the Camlachie fire department.

An open house was held last Saturday in honour of Jordan at the Camlachie Community Centre. Jordan started in 1979 as one of the first members of the Camlachie fire service. He became fire chief in 2006.

Jordan started with the fire department when it began, he says, thinking he would have something to do for a couple of years at the age of 20. “I never dreamed I would be hear 47 years later,” said Jordan. “I have enjoyed everything I have done.”

Jordan acknowledged he has been out to many tragic calls over the years, but he would rather focus on the good times as a firefighter.

His time as chief has been helped by the dedication of those in the department. “I can’t believe where we are from 1979 from when
we started,” said Jordan, saying how proud of everyone under his command.

“I can’t believe I got through this without crying,” said Jordan, as he concluded his remarks to those assembled to honour him.

Jordan tells The Independent his retirement is bitter sweet, saying it was a hard decision to walk away, calling those at the Camlachie fire hall a family.

One of his proudest things in his fire career was to watch the growth of the Camlachie department, he added, including an addition to the fire hall, the purchasing of four new trucks and updating all of the equipment throughout the years.

Jordan said when he started as a firefighter, the only thing that needed batteries was the flash light. Now every piece of equipment needs a battery.

He will still be assisting the fire department after his retirement with burn permit inspections, which will allow him to use his expertise a couple of hours a week. Besides that, he is looking forward to continuing to improve his golf game.