Deputy Chief Virgint joined the department as a volunteer in 1977, became a full time firefighter in 1982, then rose through the ranks from Firefighter, to Lieutenant to Captain and then Deputy Fire Chief in 2001. 
 
"Steve’s dedication to the fire service has been a cornerstone in building a professional and highly trained department and we are all beneficiaries of his long and exemplary career,” said Mayor Greg Gardner. “I would like to express our sincere appreciation for Steve's 32 years of hard work, countless late nights and tireless energy.”
 
We wish him much happiness as he embarks on this new chapter in his life, which we believe will include more time with his grandchildren, some good fishing and – very likely – many more years of volunteer work with Squamish Fire Rescue!