HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-04-06, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2017.
Sparling officially retires from fire department
A keepsake
The Blyth and Wingham Firefighter Associations both honoured outgoing Fire Department of
North Huron Chief David Sparling with a pencil etching commemorating his time as a
firefighter at Sparling's retirement ceremony last Thursday. From left: Eric Mulholland of the
Wingham association, Jeff Josling of the Blyth association, Ken Wright of the Wingham
association, Herb Govier of the Blyth association and Sparling. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
By Shawn Loughlin
The Citizen
Last Thursday at a private
gathering among family, friends and
colleagues, Blyth's David Sparling
officially said goodbye to the world
of firefighting after over 25 years.
Sparling told the dozens
assembled that he had a hard time
believing he had been a firefighter
for over 25 years. He said that time
flies when you're having fun and he
was having plenty of fun as a
member of the Blyth Fire
Department and then the
amalgamated Fire Department of
North Huron (FDNH).
"I can't believe I've been doing
this for 25 years," Sparling said. "It
sure doesn't seem like it."
Sparling said he began his
firefighting career at the age of 22
and the following 25 years just flew
by. He also said he was surprised
that it had been seven years since the
formation of the FDNH, saying he
could still hear then -Chief John
Black talking about the importance
of getting through year one.
After Black passed away and
Sparling was chosen to be the
department's chief, Sparling said his
career entered a new chapter — one in
which he takes great pride.
"I've been really proud to serve as
your chief for the last three and a
half years," he said to his fellow
members of the Fire Department of
North Huron. "I hope you can be
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Sparling also reflected on a
number of specific emergency calls
over the years that he remembered.
Of course, he said, every
firefighter remembers his first call.
Sparling says his was for the child of
One final address
David Sparling of Blyth ended his time with the Fire
Department of North Huron last week with a private
retirement get-together on Thursday, just ahead of his final
day on March 31. He addressed those in attendance
thanking them for their support and expertise in his 25
years as a firefighter. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
NORTH
HURON
Township of North Huron
2017 Draft Budget
Meeting Schedule
Location: North Huron Council Chambers
274 Josephine Street, Wingham
Dates: Monday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m.
Monday, April 24 at 7:00 p.m
Contact: Donna White, Director of Finance
519-357-3550
Blyth Community Centre And Grounds
User Groups Public Meeting:
Location:
Date:
Time:
Blyth Community Centre Hall
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
For more information call 519-357-1208
www.northhuron.ca
Clarence Bailey, who was also a
local firefighter at the time. The
child was choking on a piece of
Lego. The blockage was cleared by
firefighters and the child survived.
One of the worst calls Sparling
attended was when he had to attempt
to defibrillate a member of the
Clinton Fire Department. The
firefighter didn't make it, Sparling
said as he fought back tears, and
he'll always remember that.
One of the most stressful times he
encountered was when he was off
the job for six months due to a back
injury.
Sparling said that although he was
the chief of the department, he could
only be as successful as his
firefighters and support network
would allow him to be. He thanked
North Huron Council, as well as
neighbouring councils like Central
Huron, Morris-Turnberry and
Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh for
their support over the years.
"North Huron Council let us be all
that we could be and that takes a lot
of courage and trust," Sparling said.
And while he thanked local media
and staff at both North Huron and
the Emergency Services Training
Centre, Sparling said the success of
the department ultimately fell to its
members.
"The reality is that you bank
heavily on your team and the reality
is that my team never let me down,"
Sparling said.
Sparling also thanked his wife
Annie and children Reece, Sam and
Sarah for their ongoing support,
saying he couldn't have had the
career he had without the support of
his family.
Chad Kregar, one of the
department's deputy -chiefs, said he
was consistently impressed by
Sparling's work ethic and his
dedication to the department.
On two of the pair's road trips
Continued on page 11
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