Family first, says retiring Fire Chief Paul Mauger

Photo courtesy of Chesterfield County Fire Chief Paul Mauger is retiring on Sept. 1 to spend more time with his family.

Rumors abound about why Fire Chief Paul Mauger is retiring, but it's no mystery to him. It's a matter of priorities.

"I need to be with my family," Mauger explained. "In a couple of years my children will be leaving home. They need me now. As chief of this department, I have many responsibilities and that includes a lot of time in meetings. I am in a position in my life where I am able to retire, and I will. I have no planned agenda, no specific goals at this time. I'm just going to be home and take it as it comes for right now."

Mauger's retirement is effective Sept. 1. He began his career with Chesterfield Fire & EMS in 1974 as a 16 year old at Enon Volunteer Fire Department. Warren Cunningham was his chief, and Bruce Vecchioni, the current district chief, was a lieutenant and his mentor.

"I didn't think I was going to make it," Mauger quipped, referring to all the skills he needed to learn to be a first responder. But in the eyes of his peers, he more than "made it"; he excelled.

Mauger graduated from Recruit School #9. He was later hired by the county as a dispatcher in 1977 and became a county career firefighter a year later. In 1982, Mauger was promoted to sergeant and took the role of deputy chief under now retired Chief Stephen Elswick in 1998. He assumed the mantle of chief in March 2005.

The seasoned firefighter saw dispatching come into its own with technology.

"There would only be one [dispatcher], and everything was done manually. Now there are multiple dispatchers, the 911 system and computers."

He's also seen his share of calamity - both from afar and locally.

"On Sept. 11, the firefighters and EMS crews were all brought closer together by that terrible tragedy. Three hundred forty-three firefighters died that day. It caused us to deeply reflect on who we are. It stirred our pride, and it changed us all."

Closer to home, Mauger recalls the massive flooding from tropical depression Gaston.

"Up to 15 inches of rain fell. We had 11 major rescue operations going on simultaneously. It was all instinct and training. It has to be a team effort always. Both volunteer and career [personnel] make it what it is. It is not an individual person acting alone. Chesterfield Fire & EMS, volunteer and career, are a team."

One of Mauger's emergency first calls will always remain with him.

"It was Thanksgiving. A car was upside down in a creek, and a teenage girl was submerged in the water. She had been rear-ended by a drunk driver and ended up in the creek. We kept her head up out of the water and did CPR. The water was so cold you couldn't feel your body. She was removed from the vehicle and transported to MCV. We didn't hear if she survived or not."

"It was years later," he continued. "I was at an event, and an elderly woman came up to me. She asked me, 'You don't remember me, do you?' But I did. After all this time it was the mother of the daughter we rescued from the creek. I did remember her, but I was afraid to ask how the daughter was because I didn't know if the teen had survived. Well the mother's face lit up, and she told me her daughter was fine. She then pulled a long folder of pictures out of her purse and showed me her daughter and her daughter's kids. I can't say what that did to me, and I won't ever forget that experience."

Mauger will be missed by many.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to work alongside Chief Mauger. We are truly losing a real leader and friend," said Lieutenant David L. Farmer, a firefighter/paramedic at Midlothian Station #5.

Captain Dave Daniels of Engine Company #24 has seen Mauger's inside character.

"Having worked with Paul for 31 years, I can say what you see is what you get," Daniels praised. "He represents the values our county leadership asks of its employees, and he does this with ease. He was raised in a loving family, by two great parents who taught their children well. While his father was the best at knowing every joke ever written and even the punch lines for every occasion, Paul came in a close second."

"Paul is genuine and down-to-earth," continued Daniels. "He really appreciates what he has been blessed with. He cares deeply for his family and the CFEMS organization and has made many personal sacrifices for both. He can retire knowing that we appreciate the opportunity to work with him and are very proud of his accomplishments."

"I've known Paul Mauger about 29 years," said Deputy Chief Mark Sacra. "We served together as firefighters at Ettrick Station #12. I have had a great time working with him. He taught me to work hard but to have fun, too."

Deputy Chief Jim Graham will also miss his co-worker. "I have known Paul Mauger around 30 years, and he has made a positive impression on me professionally."

With his retirement, Mauger ends a threedecade career.

"I am leaving with mixed emotions," Mauger said. "I am going to miss the people