Mayor Bevilacqua lauds distinguished career of outgoing Fire Chief

“Today is Chief Larry Bentley’s final Council meeting. He is retiring after more than 38 years of service to the people of our community. I want to welcome the many members of the Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service who have come to today’s Council meeting to show their support, admiration and respect for Chief Bentley.

 

“One of the events I look forward to every year, is the graduation ceremony for new recruits to the Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service. It is an opportunity to come together to welcome our next generation of the best, the brightest and the bravest men and women. It is a wonderful event where new firefighters make their commitment to public service and protecting the citizens and visitors of Vaughan.

 

“Chief Bentley makes an inspiring speech about his love for the job and the extraordinary responsibility these men and women are undertaking. The tremendous level of pride and respect he has for his firefighters is very obvious – he thinks of them as family – and he has instilled in them the importance of service.

 

“Chief Bentley joined Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service in 1979. He was promoted to the rank of captain in 1990, platoon chief in 1996, deputy fire chief in 2006 and, finally, fire chief in 2013. Chief Bentley was the first Vaughan firefighter to be promoted to the role of fire chief, which speaks to his demonstrated leadership, deep commitment for the men and women in uniform, and love for his community.

 

“I have long admired the work done by the Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service and the high level of emergency service that is provided to our residents and businesses. Devoting your life to this kind of public service is challenging and demanding. It takes a special person to become a firefighter, with its unusual and often long hours, and dangerous situations. From an early age, we are all taught to run from fires, whereas firefighters run into fires to battle blazes and risk their lives for our very own safety.

 

“It is also a very rewarding job and one that is still viewed as a heroic and noble profession. Shifts may end but the service never does.

 

“Our entire community was touched by the compassion demonstrated by Chief Bentley and Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service when in March of this year, they came to visit five-year-old Matteo Papa. Matteo is battling Leukemia. And after hearing that Matteo’s dream is to be a firefighter, Chief Bentley and his crew paid a surprise visit to Matteo on his birthday. Matteo was presented with a helmet, uniform, birthday cake and a ride to school in a fire truck. All of Vaughan will never forget this. 

 

“Chief Bentley’s leadership has had a significant impact on Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service, and he will be deeply missed. Throughout his career, Chief Bentley has been a champion for our city, working to promote fire prevention and protect the community. From his outstanding volunteer efforts with youth and seniors to supporting local charities and important causes, he has demonstrated the true meaning of servant leadership.

 

“I will always be appreciative of his devotion, dedication and commitment to his calling. I have many fond and meaningful memories of the years we worked together to keep our city safe. I want to express my sincerest gratitude to Chief Bentley, and I wish him all the best for a long and happy retirement.”