Hampton’s fire chief has hung up his hat one last time after more than three decades with the fire department.
Roger Breau first joined Hampton Fire Rescue 35 years ago and spent the past 16 years as the town’s fire chief.
“I always was the type of guy that wanted to help people out,” Breau said in a recent phone interview after his retirement.
“I was helping people out all around doing odd things and then my neighbour suggested I join the fire department.”
A lot has changed since Breau joined the department in the 1980s, particularly when it comes to improved training and equipment for members.
But one thing that has stayed nearly the same is the size of the volunteer department. Breau said they have had about 36 or 37 members during the course of his time as chief.
“That’s about as high as you’re gonna get because it’s hard to get volunteers now,” he said.
While Breau has mixed feelings about his retirement, he felt that now was the right time to do it.
“I turned 78 and I said, you know, it’s time to slack off a little bit. I couldn’t do the job as much as I wanted to,” he said.
“I don’t like standing around, I like to be active in it, to do it, and sometimes as chief you have to step back and let other people do it.”
As for what Breau will do with his newfound free time, the former chief said he has lots of work around the house to keep him busy.
Deputy Chief Mike Raeburn has been appointed chief, while Norm Garnett is now deputy chief.
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