Salem Fire Protection District Chief Dave Duncan has announced his retirement effective November 8th, ending a 48-year career in the fire service that began at the age of 17.
Duncan admits he was a firehouse brat as he hung out at the fire station as a kid and was offered a chance to join the department early provided that he would get his hair cut.
“The fire service at least here in Salem and I think probably anywhere is something that gets in your blood. It’s a way of life. It’s a brotherhood. It’s been a great career I’ve enjoyed it tremendously. I’m probably going to miss it.”
Duncan feels there is a closeness between fire department members because they depend on and watch out for each other during dangerous fire scenes.
Duncan advanced through the ranks and was appointed chief in July 2018. During his more than four-year tenure, he’s most proud of improving the radio communications system with the new tower at the fire station and the purchase of the new engine tender that was recently completed after over two years of design and engineering.
Duncan says his most memorable experience was an apartment house fire where they successfully rescued three young children, with one who was provided aid that saved the child’s life.
As far as the future, Duncan says rising costs for equipment with no way to bring in additional revenue as a result of property tax caps is the biggest challenge they are facing.
“It has affected the fire protection districts in Illinois significantly because they rely totally on that. There is no way to repeal it and frankly, the fire protection districts are in a serious tailspin in some instances needing that funding to maintain the equipment and so forth that is required to do the job. It’s difficult.”
As an example, Duncan noted the $650,000 they paid for their new truck is now up to $800,000. The SBCA breathing equipment now costs $8,500 a piece and uniforming a fireman costs $5,000. Much of the equipment is only certified for 10 or 15 years before it has to be replaced.
This is Duncan’s third retirement. He retired as a Sergeant at the Salem Police Department after more than 30 years of service and also worked as Security Director at Salem Township Hospital for several years after that.
Duncan notes there will be no new jobs this time as he plans on traveling, completing a long list of honey do’s, and most likely doing some volunteer work.
Duncan says when he retires on November 8th, Assistant Chief Jim Cerny will become acting chief until the Fire Trustees name a new chief.
