A five-year plan to serve turned into a lifetime of commitment for Ted Lucas.
The Thorold South Station #2 volunteer firefighter celebrated his retirement Saturday night surrounded by family, friends, peers and city officials.
Lucas is retiring from active duty at the mandatory age of 65 after serving at the station for 47 years.
In an interview with ThoroldNews, Lucas recounted how he joined the volunteers in 1972 while he was in his last year at Thorold Secondary School. At the time he was also working full-time in the family business, Lucas Liftruck Services Ltd.
He immediately began to take on more responsibility, especially in training others.
Over time, he served as lieutenant, captain and district chief.
"I was always striving to lead. Some people just like to be in charge,” he laughed. “It helped me to develop professionally.”
“A friend, John Tymochko, brought me out to Niagara District Firefighters Association (NDFFA). I got to see how other fire departments run and what’s out there,” he said.
It was interactions like those that fuelled his passion and kept Lucas striving for more.
“Sure, fire conventions can be a bit of a party but to sit down with a lot of keen people and share their experiences and problem-solving was important to me,” he said. “I made a lot of friends and had exposure to other departments.”
Lucas said that there was no single defining moment in his career. True to his sense of dedication to community, he added, “I’ve had so many calls, so many responses that there is no one, simple thing. I have to say it’s when we have a call and everything clicks. It happens a lot, but every time it happens - wow!"
He continued, “No, for me, it’s when it all comes together. And that’s tough to do - with volunteers - we live with each other, this is family and when family can get together and do things, it all comes together. You realize that as an officer you don’t have to tell them what to do. When you show up to a scene, you know when you go in, the guys are coming in behind you. And that comes through the training.”
“When I finished as chief five years ago, it lessened the strain but I stayed heavily involved,” he said. “And I’ll continue to be involved in the community activities the station carries out.”
Lucas has lived his entire life in Thorold South and credits his wife Donna with being his support at home. He will continue in the family business for a few more years.
He officially retired one week before the celebration of his career and found it difficult to go “cold turkey” with no pager, scanner or phone.
“It’s been tough but I have a good support group,” he laughed, referring to his wife.
When they were married 41 years ago, they thought he would serve five more years with the volunteers.
But retirement will also open Lucas to new efforts.
“I was never a Firefighters association president," he said; "my thrust was in training and firefighting. So I can get involved in the association and provide a helping hand. I still have a lot to offer in knowledge and experience."
Lucas revealed he started planning a long time ago for his departure. “You have to make sure things will carry on. And the guys here can do it as can Kelly (current Chief Kelly Saunders).”
He said he was pleased the city called him in for an exit interview a few weeks ago.
“The questions through (new city fire chief) Terry Dixon came from City Hall and they were trying to draw on my knowledge and experience. It was great to just sit and talk and share the history of the fire department and how we got to where we are. It showed me that somebody up there is concerned about the fire department.”
After dinner, Lucas was honoured through gifts and speeches.
Mayor Terry Ugulini acknowledged District #2 Chief Saunders and District #4 Chief Glen Braun.
“Thanks, all Station #2 volunteers for the great work you do, for the contributions to fire and emergency services, but also your community. These efforts don’t go unnoticed. The events you hold here for the community are outstanding and you deserve a hand,” he stated.
The mayor continued, “What impressed me about Ted last week was his knowledge. He gave me a tour and showed me everything. Where he really shines is as the education chair for Station #2 and for the NDFFA. It’s so important. And kudos to his wife of 41 years, Donna.”
Before presenting him with a framed certificate of long service from the city, Ugulini concluded. “I’m honoured to have known you. You’re an example of the fabric that makes the City of Thorold what it is.”
Councillor Fred Neale presented Lucas with a gift from the city and said, “I met Ted back in 1985 in the old station. Your dedication to Thorold and to the Fire Services is second to none.”
Chief Dixon took the podium, saying, “I’ve known Ted for 35 years. Your dedication to our training throughout the City of Thorold through the years has been impeccable.”
He and District Chief Saunders presented Lucas with a Long Service Medal from the Canadian Volunteer Firefighters Association.
Twenty-year veteran and station Captain Jim Colavecchia, said, "He’s not just a great chief, but to everybody who knows him, he’s a mentor. He taught me just about everything I know about firefighting."
Colavecchia recounted some personal anectodes before presenting Donna with a gift from the fire station.
Saunders handed the microphone to the guest of honour but not before saying, "From all the firefighters here and those from the past, thank you so much for your dedication, training and leadership. You've made a huge difference in the lives of every person in this room. Thank you so much and enjoy retirement; you've earned it.”
Lucas approached the podium to a standing ovation, saying, “You get out what you put into anything. Donna and I have put a lot into it and thank you for the recognition; this is just amazing. I have no regrets.”
“At the NDFFA over the years, I've had great teachers and mentors and I wanted to do the job as best as I could. Good firefighters and officers are made, not born,” he added.
He recounted a brief history and the number of “firsts” that Station #2 achieved, like being the first fire company in the world to install an alert home monitoring system.
Lucas said the support and the respect that he's come to realize over the years is most important to him.
He concluded, “It's been a tremendous road; it's been great. Again, no regrets. There's nothing like being recognized by your peers. It's one thing to be a firefighter and to have the enthusiasm. But we are responsible for each other. That's why we train so hard.”
