Tribute to Fire-Chief George Bacon 1970-2007
July 19, 2007 - 1:39pm
People
Speech delivered by former Selectman Ted Gaudette at George Bacon's retirement party on July 13, 2007
37 years of service as Fire Chief, 43 total with Dunstable Fire Department.
I started writing this speech a couple of days ago, and as in all of these types of talks it comes out as mixture of cliches and accolades and basically you don't any more about the man at the end of the speech than when the speaker started. So what I would like to do is share with you what I know about Chief George Bacon.
To speak about George Bacon is to speak about commitment, dedication, volunteerism, strong leadership mixed with the cultural foundation of the town of Dunstable, for they are one in the same. George is a strong willed and driven man that doesn't take No for an answer. In addition, George is also described as a compassionate and giving person. In his tenure as chief he has been instrumental in running the Pizza night, the Blood drive, and the Santa weekend and he has also done many other good deeds behind the scenes that the citizens are not aware of. If we (the BaS) were conferring an appropriate metal for him to wear to depict his service, it would not be a purple heart but rather a heart of gold.
For most of us, and anyone that was either born or moved into town after 1970, George Bacon has been the only Fire Chief we have ever known.
Believe it or not, there were some chiefs prior to George!
Even thoough George has been chief for a long time and lived here a long time, George was a "Blow -in" to Dunstable. Although he had ties to town thru his family he actually came to town from Chelmsford. George admired what he saw in Dunstable and thought it would be a good place to raise his family, moving here in 1964.
I guess after 43 years, we can now start referring to him as a permanent resident.
George joined the fire department shortly after moving it to town. At that time, the department was under the leadership of Walter "Pop" Savill.
At this point, I think a bit of history is in order.
The Dunstable's fire department, as we know it, was established in the early 1950's. Prior to that time, the fire department records referred to Fire Marshalls or Fire Wardens rather than Fire Chiefs. The first Fire Chief of the department was Pop Savill who served first as a fire warden from 1941 thru his formal appointment as Fire Chief in 1956.
He served in that capacity until is death in 1967 at the age of 89. Total of 26 years.
Again, to show the character of town Dunstable and its leaders, the following statement was written by Deputy Chief Forrest Bourbonnie and recorded in the Annual town report. "Almighty God, in His infinite Glory, called from our midst our Chief, Walter Savill. His presence and guidance will be sadly missed by every officer and man of the Fire Department. It is our Fervent prayer that we will be able to continue the high quality of service to the Town of Dunstable that he adhered to." A similar statement was offered by Geroge when Chief Forrest Bourbonnie stepped down after 3 short years as Chief due to health reasons.
Forrest Bourbonnie served as Chief for only 3 years; however he volunteered his service for a total of 24 years.
In 1970, the Board of Selectmen; then consisting Francis N. Carter, Lloyd C. Kiberd and Chairman Frank Hanchett appointed George Bacon as Dunstable's 3rd Fire Chief. George has served in that capacity until July 1st. of this year. He has dedicated 37 years to the position of Chief and has volunteered for over 43 years total in service. Since his appointment in 1970, George has served under 18 different Selectmen and has worked continuously to the betterment of the Dunstable Fire Department.
Benjamin Franklin once said: "There is no job too big or too small. The difficult I do right away, the impossible takes a little longer." Ben Franklin may have said this, but George showed us all how it is done. During his 37 years, George has built or rebuilt fire trucks and fire equipment, painted the building, remodeled the inside, and one of his last challenges was the construction of the new storage garage behind the current station. Believe me when I say that no one has stretched a buck farther than George.
The reason I have shared this history is because George is the last of generation, and we as residents will never experience a chief's longevity of this magnitude again. George Bacon and Pop Savill will now hold two Dunstable records, which probably will never be broken: Pop Savill, as the oldest serving Fire Chief to the age of 89, and George Bacon as the longest serving Fire Chief with service of 37 years. With the new state laws regulating mandatory retirement at age 65, a person would need to appointed fire Chief at age 28 to exceed George's years of service.
Heads of departments may change, but you shouldn't change the cultural foundations of the Department.
On behalf of the Boards of Selectmen, past and present, we thank you for your dedicated service, and be assured, your contribution will be remembered.
In closing I would like to share a letter addressed to Chief George Bacon for Senator Kennedy which put into words the feelings of all of us.
Alas, your time has come to stand up and take a bow. Your 37 years of leadership, volunteerism, and dedication have set in place a foundation for others to achieve to and we are all greatly appreciative of your service.
37 years of service as Fire Chief, 43 total with Dunstable Fire Department.
I started writing this speech a couple of days ago, and as in all of these types of talks it comes out as mixture of cliches and accolades and basically you don't any more about the man at the end of the speech than when the speaker started. So what I would like to do is share with you what I know about Chief George Bacon.
To speak about George Bacon is to speak about commitment, dedication, volunteerism, strong leadership mixed with the cultural foundation of the town of Dunstable, for they are one in the same. George is a strong willed and driven man that doesn't take No for an answer. In addition, George is also described as a compassionate and giving person. In his tenure as chief he has been instrumental in running the Pizza night, the Blood drive, and the Santa weekend and he has also done many other good deeds behind the scenes that the citizens are not aware of. If we (the BaS) were conferring an appropriate metal for him to wear to depict his service, it would not be a purple heart but rather a heart of gold.
For most of us, and anyone that was either born or moved into town after 1970, George Bacon has been the only Fire Chief we have ever known.
Believe it or not, there were some chiefs prior to George!
Even thoough George has been chief for a long time and lived here a long time, George was a "Blow -in" to Dunstable. Although he had ties to town thru his family he actually came to town from Chelmsford. George admired what he saw in Dunstable and thought it would be a good place to raise his family, moving here in 1964.
I guess after 43 years, we can now start referring to him as a permanent resident.
George joined the fire department shortly after moving it to town. At that time, the department was under the leadership of Walter "Pop" Savill.
At this point, I think a bit of history is in order.
The Dunstable's fire department, as we know it, was established in the early 1950's. Prior to that time, the fire department records referred to Fire Marshalls or Fire Wardens rather than Fire Chiefs. The first Fire Chief of the department was Pop Savill who served first as a fire warden from 1941 thru his formal appointment as Fire Chief in 1956.
He served in that capacity until is death in 1967 at the age of 89. Total of 26 years.
Again, to show the character of town Dunstable and its leaders, the following statement was written by Deputy Chief Forrest Bourbonnie and recorded in the Annual town report. "Almighty God, in His infinite Glory, called from our midst our Chief, Walter Savill. His presence and guidance will be sadly missed by every officer and man of the Fire Department. It is our Fervent prayer that we will be able to continue the high quality of service to the Town of Dunstable that he adhered to." A similar statement was offered by Geroge when Chief Forrest Bourbonnie stepped down after 3 short years as Chief due to health reasons.
Forrest Bourbonnie served as Chief for only 3 years; however he volunteered his service for a total of 24 years.
In 1970, the Board of Selectmen; then consisting Francis N. Carter, Lloyd C. Kiberd and Chairman Frank Hanchett appointed George Bacon as Dunstable's 3rd Fire Chief. George has served in that capacity until July 1st. of this year. He has dedicated 37 years to the position of Chief and has volunteered for over 43 years total in service. Since his appointment in 1970, George has served under 18 different Selectmen and has worked continuously to the betterment of the Dunstable Fire Department.
Benjamin Franklin once said: "There is no job too big or too small. The difficult I do right away, the impossible takes a little longer." Ben Franklin may have said this, but George showed us all how it is done. During his 37 years, George has built or rebuilt fire trucks and fire equipment, painted the building, remodeled the inside, and one of his last challenges was the construction of the new storage garage behind the current station. Believe me when I say that no one has stretched a buck farther than George.
The reason I have shared this history is because George is the last of generation, and we as residents will never experience a chief's longevity of this magnitude again. George Bacon and Pop Savill will now hold two Dunstable records, which probably will never be broken: Pop Savill, as the oldest serving Fire Chief to the age of 89, and George Bacon as the longest serving Fire Chief with service of 37 years. With the new state laws regulating mandatory retirement at age 65, a person would need to appointed fire Chief at age 28 to exceed George's years of service.
Heads of departments may change, but you shouldn't change the cultural foundations of the Department.
On behalf of the Boards of Selectmen, past and present, we thank you for your dedicated service, and be assured, your contribution will be remembered.
In closing I would like to share a letter addressed to Chief George Bacon for Senator Kennedy which put into words the feelings of all of us.
Alas, your time has come to stand up and take a bow. Your 37 years of leadership, volunteerism, and dedication have set in place a foundation for others to achieve to and we are all greatly appreciative of your service.
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