Randy Vezina retires

North Bay Fire Prevention Officer Captain Randy Vezina is retiring.

He started with the North Bay Fire department as a fire fighter in February of 1989 and Friday was his final day.

He says he’s investigated many serious and tragic fires over the years downtown but the one at Commonwealth Plywood at the end of Main Street stands out for him.

He says the entire sky was on fire.

Vezina says they had to scramble for water and a felllow firefighter Steve Denomme had a close call as a 150-200 pound acetylene tank started flying around.

“This thing just flew by Steve Denomme’s head. I’ll never forget seeing that big propane vessel come so close to hitting Steve,” he says.
He says firefighting is unlike most jobs.

Vezina says you can only really compare it to serving in the military or being a police officer and the danger bonds those who serve together.