Fire chiefs from near and far salute Prince Edward County chief on his retirement

Retiring Prince Edward County Fire Chief Scott Manlow posing with his family, while his other family of firefigthers, and chiefs from several municipalities as far as Ottawa, Mayor Steve Ferguson and CAO Marcia Wallace look on.

Fire Chiefs from near and far came to salute Prince Edward County Fire Chief Scott Manlow on his last day on the job, Friday.

Piper Major Josh McFarlane led a parade of Manlow’s family members, County CAO Marcia Wallace, Mayor Steve Ferguson and more than a dozen chiefs from Cobourg to Ottawa to the Picton Station as the retiring chief, firefighters and others looked on.

Manlow had been told everybody was to arrive to work wearing uniforms for an official retirement photograph honouring his almost 33 years with the department.

“I am honoured,” Manlow told the gathering, “Especially with COVID-19, we’ve had challenges we have all had to face, and we’ve adapted. That’s what fire services are all about. We are able to adapt and work through the process. It is truly teamwork and there are no borders in the fire service. We work together as a team.”

Mayor Steve Ferguson presented a certificate from the County and from Bay of Quinte MP Neil Ellis, and shared appreciation for Manlow’s service.

“His mentorship to so many members in our fire service has been invaluable to each and every one, and has better prepared them for a career that we in the public all deeply appreciate, and respect.” said Ferguson.

“Over the years I have known him, I have come to appreciate Chief Manlow’s observations and critical thinking, as well as his keen, and occasionally sardonic sense of humour.”

Presentations by several of the chiefs and by the County firefighters were followed by a short, socially-distanced gathering with water and doughnuts inside the firehall.

When the crowd cleared, Chief Manlow, accompanied by the new Fire Chief Robert Rutter, drove the department’s aerial truck for a final run to his home in Picton.

On the short trip, calls were broadcast from the County’s other fire halls, wishing Manlow the best in his retirement.

Chiefs parading in from Cobourg to Ottawa saluted retiring PEC Fire Chief Scott Manlow.

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