West Nipissing’s Fire Chief is calling it a career.
The municipality says Chief Richard Maranda is retiring this spring after 34 years of service.
“It’s difficult to say goodbye,” said Maranda. “West Nipissing has the best team of firefighters you could ever ask for.”
Maranda is retiring at the end of May.
Born and raised in West Nipissing, he became a member of the Sturgeon Falls Fire Department in 1988. Originally hired as a volunteer, Maranda became a spare firefighter in 1991 and a training officer in 1999, upon the amalgamation. Prior to becoming fire chief in 2013, Maranda served to educate his community holding the title of Fire Prevention Officer, and Public Fire and Safety Educator.
A search for his replacement will be taking place in the coming weeks. “We have very big shoes to fill,” said Jay Barbeau, CAO of the Municipality of West Nipissing. “Richard has been a valuable member of the senior management team. His contribution to the organization will be missed. I wish him all the best in his retirement.”