After 41 years of service to the community with the Drumheller Fire Department, 20 of which he served as Chief, Bill Bachynski has decided to retire.
This week Bachynski served his notice and on Tuesday night told his fellow firefighters he has made the decision.
“It has always been more than a job, but part of my life,” said Bachynski reflecting on his prestigious career. “In the period of time I have been on the department, I have met a lot of people, had a lot of acquaintances and ended up with some close friendships from it. These memories will stay with me the rest of my life.”
Bachynski joined the department in October of 1973. He quickly worked his way up the ranks and spent two years as Captain before he became Deputy Chief for 17 years, and then moved up to Chief. Bachynski is the fourth Drumheller Fire Chief. When he joined, he served under Chief Bud Hansen, and then Chief Jack Samuel.
“Growing up in the valley, ever since I can remember, I admired the Fire Department,” he said.
His uncles Jack and Bill Doucette both served, and Bill Doucette was the Deputy Chief when Bachynski joined up. He recalls that at that time, to become a firefighter, your name has to be put to the Fire Association before you could be admitted.
“The first time my name was voted on, I didn’t get in. That shows there was no favoritism,” he chuckles.
Over those years, he estimates he has been on between 3,000 and 4,000 calls. During that time, he continually trained and improved his skills.
“You don’t remember all of those calls, you remember the odd one, or the ones where something unusual has happened,” he explains. “The ones that make a firefighter feel good when you are finished the call, you can search your mind and say you did the best you could. It gives you rationalization and peace of mind.”
In a small community, he has seen his friends and neighbours in some of the most difficult situations they face in their life. This is where you have to be professional.
“The question I have been asked more than once is ‘how can you do that?’ I go into a work mode, and think, if it were me in that situation, I would want someone to help.”
In that time, he has seen dramatic changes in firefighting, from equipment, to training to professionalism. When he joined they had two trucks, today the department has a varied set of apparatus for all kinds of calls. While many departments have trouble filling their rosters, Drumheller actually has a list of applicants waiting to become members of the Drumheller Department.
He feels residents of Drumheller can rest easy knowing they are served by a department that continues to perform with the highest standards and professionalism.
“I’m proud of my years of service for the community and very proud of serving with the members of the department. In the big picture, I would put the Drumheller Fire Department second to nobody, and the rapport we have developed today with our surrounding neighbours has never been stronger. The relationship of working together and getting the job done as a combined force all working for the same goal has been awesome.”
He is not sure where retirement will take him, but he has never been a person not to be busy at something. He plans to stay in the valley.
“You blink twice and that is how quickly the years go by.”