Ron Cousins retires after 40 years as local firefighter

ELORA – After 40 years as a firefighter and at age 76, Ron Cousins is hanging up the fire hose for good.

The Elora Firefighters Association recently recognized Cousins at a social event at the Elora Curling Club to celebrate his retirement.

“Ron’s career reflects an exceptional commitment to public safety and the community he served,” association officials stated in a press release.

Cousins joined the Elora fire department in 1986, when it was a separate department from Fergus. 

He was encouraged by a friend to attend an information session, “and when I left, they handed me a pager,” he said in a phone interview. “I was in.”

While the two departments helped each other out on big fires, there was some rivalry, Cousins said.

But over time the two departments did merge into one after amalgamation in 1999, and they formed deep and powerful bonds.

“You have to trust the people you work with,” he said, noting many memorable friendships he formed over the years.

“There’s always a bit of bickering, personality clashes, but you look past that. I don’t know a better group of guys who work so closely together.”

The Centre Wellington department is a volunteer service, meaning its members hold other jobs and are paid when they are called to duty.

Cousins’ other job is president of Cousins and Johnson Inc. excavating service, and he’s winding down his role in that business as well, as his sons prepare to take over.

“I’m getting a little tired,” he said with a chuckle. “I’m winding myself down.”

A high point for him was 1995 and 1996 when the Elora department hosted a convention attended by thousands of firefighters from across the province.

They found a vacant site and had to install hydro and makeshift roads to accommodate the event.

Cousins was part of the planning for that, “and I learned a lot,” he said. “It was a good learning experience.”

He’ll still be a busy man as he has a couple of friends with farms where he “helps out” and has his own property with plenty of jobs to do, he said.

“Throughout his tenure, Ron demonstrated extensive expertise with construction equipment, the ability to operate all types of firefighting apparatus, and a thorough knowledge of local roads and infrastructure – skills that consistently supported safe and effective incident responses,” firefighters association officials stated in the release.

Cousins was presented with an engraved fire axe commemorating his four decades of dedication. 

“The association wishes Ron and Sharon all the best for their future together and our gratitude in knowing you’ve left an incredible legacy,” it states.