Fifty Years of Fire and Sacrifice | Calgary News

After fifty years of service, Calgary’s Fire Chief Steve Dongworth is retiring — a career that began with a chance encounter in England and took him from pig farms to the front lines of some of Canada’s most intense fires. He recalls the haunting loss of fellow firefighter Morley James during the 1992 17th Avenue Inn blaze, a moment that shaped his commitment. Though he’s witnessed sweeping cultural shifts in the fire service — including ongoing work toward greater inclusivity — Dongworth remains grounded by the simple, enduring mission: “We still put the wet stuff on the red stuff.” Retirement isn’t an escape, but a handoff — he’s ready for new leaders to carry the torch. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/f1db325e2965a582