Stapleton Retires After 39 Years With The Fire Department

The talk of the town might be how this is the coldest day of the year but it is more than that. It is a big day for Rod Stapleton.

Today is also the last day of service for Senior Captain Rod Stapleton with the Moose Jaw Fire Department as he is retiring, today, which is also his 60th birthday.

Rod Stapleton is retiring today after 30 years with the Moose Jaw Fire Department - submitted photo

Initially hired to work at the Transit Department on June 26, 1980 Stapleton transferred on February 1, 1982 to the MJFD to work as a Firefighter.

Stapleton worked his way up the ranks of the MJFD. He was promoted to Lieutenant on August 16, 2007, to Shift Captain December 1, 2012 , to Assistant Chief October 1, 2016 and then to his current position as Senior Captain on February 14, 2020.

“Throughout Rod’s career he has been a superior role model and mentor for new employees and his peers,” Fire Chief Rod Montgomery said in a statement. “Rod’s attention to detail, easy-going demeanor and work ethic were second to none. His many years as a Firefighter, then as an Officer were exceptional and were evident in the respect he had from the MJFD Administration and his fellow members.”

Stapleton received the 20-Year Exemplary Service Medal in 2002, the Saskatchewan Protective Services Medal in 2009 and his 30-Year Exemplary Service Bar in 2013.