Fire Chief to Retire After 16 Years on the Job

Fire Chief Jamie DiPace has touched a lot of lives during his tenure at the Avon Volunteer Fire Department.  For more than three decades, he has been a mentor, colleague, advocate and friend to many who have worked with him in the community.

For countless others, he has been a calming presence in the midst of tragedy.

DiPace will retire at the end of December after 38 years of service, sixteen of them as fire chief.

"Trying to fill his shoes will take a lot of work on my part," said Mike Trick, who will take over as fire chief Jan. 1. "He's been a great leader and done a lot for the department. Jamie is an extremely loyal, trustworthy person.  He's just an all-around good man."

DiPace "has the fire service in his blood," according to Ken Sedlak, a  lieutenant in the department and board vice-president.  "Everything he does is in the department's best interest."

A modest man with a twinkle in his eye and mischievous smile, DiPace downplays the contributions that he has made since stepping up to the fire chief post in 1995. He is quick to credit the 120 volunteers who staff the fire department.

"This is a special group of people who devote their time and energy to the community to help people. I feel proud every time I represent them," he said. "It's not just 'me' … it's 'we.' Everybody chips in.  It's a team effort."

But others see it differently. DiPace is viewed as a strong leader who has made an impact far beyond the borders of Avon. While serving as president of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, he spearheaded approval of legislation that improved retirement benefits and tax incentives for fire department volunteers across the state.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      He has been an active member of the Capitol Region Council of Governments and participated in state and national workshops and conferences, ensuring that the Avon department has state-of-the-art technology, safety equipment and training.

Under his guidance, Avon secured a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to educate fifth-graders at Thompson Brook School in emergency preparedness, one of only three pilot programs in the state.

DiPace initiated a community-based emergency response team, in an effort to enlist citizens to provide assistance in an emergency situation. He has reached down to young people through an explorers program, which offers firefighting training to students age 14 to 18.

Perhaps one of his biggest accomplishments has been his work to keep the Avon department a volunteer organization, rather than have taxpayers pay for career firefighters.

Town Manager Brandon Robertson describes DiPace as someone "who really cares about the community. You can just tell by the amount of time he puts into his profession.  He's a great communicator with fantastic leadership qualities."

Although he is retiring from volunteer duties, DiPace still will be involved in many aspects of fire and emergency response. He will continue to wear several hats as a paid town employee: fire marshal, emergency management director and deputy building inspector.

"He won't get away from us, because I have his cell phone number," joked Assistant Chief John Deckers.

DiPace has been enamored with fire fighting since he was a child and would visit his father, Louis, who was a volunteer at the time.  "I always wanted to go to the firehouse and sit in a fire truck. When you're a kid, firefighters are your heroes," he said.

He joined the department in 1973 and worked as a plumber before training as a fire marshal, all the while moving up the ranks. DiPace remembers the early days when "portable radios were the size of a brick" and he would enter a burning building without adequate protective gear or breathing apparatus.

"The equipment was different then," he said. "We didn't have closed cabs. We rode on the back step harnessed with belts, even if it was pouring rain or freezing. Sirens were on buildings."

There were fewer calls then as well; 200 a year as compared to 600 to 700 today, many of which involve home security system alarms.

The department also rescues animals in danger.

"We still try to get cats out of trees. Most of the time we can't reach them, even with a ladder," he said.

Over the years, he has responded to hundreds of fires, car accidents, carbon monoxide incidents and other emergencies that required help from the fire department. The horrific crash on Avon Mountain in 2005 stands out as one of the worst situations he has ever encountered. 

"You never expect to see something like that, with so much loss of life," DiPace said.

Despite the challenges of the job, DiPace will walk away knowing that he has left the department "in good shape. I'm proud of what we've been able to accomplish."

He plans to spend more time with his wife, Janet, play a lot of golf and enjoy evenings that used to be tied up in meetings "doing anything I want." There also will be visits with his two grandchildren, who live in Avon with their mom and dad, Elizabeth and Scott Hatinen. Both Elizabeth, who is DiPace's daughter, and Scott are volunteers with the AVFD.

Jane Raczek, who has worked as DiPace's secretary for five years, said the department will miss his "whatever-it-takes" attitude and the compassion he has shown to those in distress. "If he goes to a motor vehicle accident and sees a child, he'll make jokes and do everything he can so the child isn't scared," Raczek said. "Jamie is just a great guy."

A retirement party for Fire Chief DiPace will be held on Saturday, January 15 at 6 p.m. at The Farmington Club.  Tickets are available by calling 860-677-2644 or visiting avonvfd.org.

Editor's Note: Everyone makes mistakes... even us! If there's something in this article that you think should be corrected, or if something else is amiss, give Local Editor Jessie Sawyer a ring at 860-356-6339 or shoot her an e-mail at Jessie.Sawyer@patch.com.