After working with the St. Paul Fire Department for 30 years, Terry Senecal has made the decision to step down from his position and step away from the department.
“It's just time," says Senecal, just a day before his last day as fire chief. Senecal's last official day was Sept. 30. “It's just time to go (and) turn it over to the young guys."
With the department since 1981, Senecal was the longest current serving member and one of the longest serving members ever. He first joined the department as a volunteer firefighter after watching his dad serve as a firefighter in the 1960s and 70s.
“You know, every kid wants to be a firefighter," says Senecal, as he speaks of what brought him to the position. While working in an unrelated field, Senecal began his work as fire chief first on a part-time basis. Over the years it turned into a full-time position that required all his attention.
Describing Senecal as “the guy with the calmest demeanor I know," Town of St. Paul mayor and fellow firefighter Glenn Andersen has only good things to say about his co-worker and friend.
Andersen says that he will remember Senecal as someone who could work with anyone and would listen to other people's thoughts and opinions. He had the ability to rationalize and bring people together, says Andersen, adding, “That is something you can't learn."
Senecal admits when he joined the department as a volunteer 30 years ago, he did not foresee becoming the fire chief.
“You see a lot in 30 years, some good, some bad," says Senecal of his experience as chief. He adds he will certainly take away the many friendships and camaraderie that was developed over the years. Although he has certainly seen a lot of people come and go from within the department over the years, there are a number of firefighters who have stayed with the department long-term and that he has grown close to.
But, with the good also comes the bad. And the hardest part of a firefighter's job is witnessing things in emergency situations and having to deal with what you see.
“It's not only in the movies . . . and you deal with it the best you can," says Senecal. Also, the hours spent away from family can be hard to handle. Although it's been rewarding, wearing a pager on his hip for over 20 years has taken its toll.
“It's going to be a huge, huge void to fill with our department," says Trevor Kotowich, the newly hired fire chief and past deputy chief, of Senecal's departure. Because Senecal has been with the department for so long, it'll be “a lot of knowledge to try and replace," says Kotowich.
“I've certainly got some huge shoes to fill," Kotowich adds.
Over the years, Senecal has also witnessed and been an active participant in the department's growth. The improvement in fire fighting equipment and the building itself has been noteworthy.
Kotowich says although losing Senecal will be tough, he is confident the past fire chief is leaving the department in good condition. Financially, for example, Senecal was a very “frugal" person, says Kotowich, which was a good thing for the Town of St. Paul.
The cooperation between the two local governments has also been something to note in his career. The arrangement between the County of St. Paul and Town of St. Paul in regards to the fire department works well, says Senecal.
And although Senecal is stepping away from his position as fire chief, he is in no way retiring.
“I can't stop working yet," says Senecal with a laugh. Also, Senecal and his wife have no intentions on leaving St. Paul.
“St. Paul's been home for me," he says. And St. Paul as a community has been very supportive to Senecal during his time as chief.
“I think I had good support from the community over the years . . . and I hope I did a good job for the community," he says.
