By Spencer Sterritt

La Ronge remembers retired fire chief

Jun 27, 2016 | 5:00 PM

There’s a pair of big boots to fill at the La Ronge fire department.

Fire chief Ron Pratt, who staff described as a father figure, retired from the La Ronge fire department in May, 2016 after 18 years of service.

During Pratt’s time in La Ronge he dealt with two substantial wildfires: the Mallard Fire of 1999 and the 2015 wildfire — both of which resulted in city-wide evacuations.

Deputy chief Ron Pacey Jr. served with Pratt for 11 years and said without him the La Ronge fire department would still be a two-truck shop, instead of the facility it is now.

“He was critical in giving us everything we have,” Pacey Jr. said. “We’re well known in the province for the training we have. To have that designation throughout the province is pretty huge.”

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Pacey Jr. said without Pratt, staff wouldn’t have been able to contain the massive 2015 wildfire as well as they did.

“He handled it really well. He had way more time to prep compared to the Mallard fire and learned from his mistakes the first time,” Pacey Jr. said.

Tayven Roberts, director of public works and housing with the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, was on the regional fire board with Pratt. He said the two words which immediately come to mind when describing the chief are “hard-working and committed.”

During the 2015 fire, Roberts said Pratt showed his incredible leadership by coordinating dozens of fire teams to battle the blaze at a moments notice.

“You could always depend on him to deal with whatever was thrown his way,” Roberts said.

Both Pacey Jr. and Roberts said Pratt will be remembered in La Ronge for decades.

“He is the fire department,” Roberts said. “He’s the name and he’s the face.”

ssterritt@panow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit