Mission firefighter Doug McPherson has been taking calls longer than some of his colleagues have been alive.
Over the course of 43 years with Mission Fire Rescue Service, McPherson has attended thousands of calls and more than 4,475 hours of fire practices, in addition to hundreds of training events.
After more than four decades of service to his hometown, McPherson attended his last fire practice on Tuesday (Jan. 30).
McPherson began his 43-year run on July 1, 1980. A lot has changed throughout his career with the MFRS, from leadership to equipment to an increased demand for service.
However, Assistant Chief Nick Rychkun says the one constant throughout that period has been McPherson and his family.
“Doug’s ever-willing presence and commitment to the organization never wavered over all those years — the organization, community, and all of us are all the better for that,” Rychkun said.
Rychkun says McPherson’s sacrifice over the years has impacted his fellow firefighters, as well as the community.
“It’s an organization made up of members like Doug who were always willing to put themselves in harm’s way to protect those needing assistance. An organization made of members like Doug who were always willing to help no matter what the ask. An organization like Doug who put others first and was okay standing in the background,” Rychkun said.
According to a Facebook post from MFRS, the McPherson household has been the social hub of the fire department for a long time. Hundreds of fire department gatherings have been held at the McPhersons’ home.
“Doug, and his amazing family, Joan and Amanda, will always hold a special place in the MFRS organization, their dedication was always a combined family effort in whatever capacity was asked of them. They were always the first to welcome you and they all truly made you feel like family no matter what the circumstance,” Rychkun said.
MFRS Chief Mark Goddard says McPherson was already a fixture in the department when he joined.
They worked together at the same station and Goddard’s father was the person that brought McPherson into the fold in 1980 when the current chief was just three years old.
“I definitely knew who he was and he was definitely, at that time, already one of the most experienced people,” Goddard said.
Goddard and McPherson attended hundreds of calls together, and the chief says he’ll be greatly missed at the fire hall.
“He was part of a really dedicated long-serving generation [of Mission firefighters] and then he’s the end of that generation,” Goddard said.
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