The former chief for the Lunenburg and District Fire Department, Donnie Parks, recently announced his retirement.
He’s retiring after 47 years with the department, 35 of which he was working as the station’s superintendent, in charge of looking after the building, equipment and purchasing and some truck maintenance.
Reflecting on his time in the fire department, Parks says he feels lucky to have had the experience.
“I was a very fortunate person and I got time to serve with a lot of good people… I was lucky; I got to do something I really enjoyed and meet a lot of people along the way too.”
Parks spent much of his childhood hanging around the fire station with his father, who was with the department for 40 years.
Naturally, when he was 19 years old, Parks signed up to be a volunteer firefighter.
Being a part of the fire department was a fulfilling experience; he always felt appreciated by the community, Parks says.
“It’s a very good, rewarding feeling to be a part of a group that does good. And we always got a lot of respect in the public… that’s one of the things that really keeps you interested in going.”
In a Facebook Post, current chief, Darren Romkey, wished Parks well in his retirement.
“I owe a lot of what I know [to] Donnie,” Romkey said, “from my childhood days of hanging out around the hall, to my years in the department. He is a big reason I became his successor and am Chief today.”
Parks says the volunteer fire department is a great place for people to start if they’re interested in paramedicine, firefighting as a career or just want to help out in the community and take advantage of good training opportunities.
