ROCKPORT — These days, Bruce Woodward is not on the front lines of a major fire, but if a firefighter is looking for advice or institutional memory, their heads are sure to swing around, looking for him. Woodward retired as Rockport’s Fire Chief in 2013, and though he still responds to the first crackle of a call from Knox Regional Communications Center, you might find him a little further back from the scene, with his more seasoned cohorts, Charlie Knight and Allen Mitchell — the “Geriatric Department,” he calls it.

It’s a comfortable perspective, says Woodward, and he enjoys watching the younger firefighters learn, and his department develop and refine more skills. 

On Sept. 20, the Rockport Fire Department celebrated Woodward’s 50 years of service as a firefighter with the town. It was a surprise, but as usual, Woodward’s sixth sense pricked up beforehand.

Jennifer Woodward, Bruce’s wife, was in on the planning of the shindig, and she made dinner for Bruce that evening to keep him settled at home. Meanwhile, just a mile down Main Street, a crew of firefighters and helpers were setting up tables, ordering pizza, setting up the desserts and bringing out the photos of their longtime chief. 

Heads periodically peaked around the doors and firetrucks, on the lookout for Bruce.

“He’s coming,” someone finally shouted.

When Woodward eventually arrived at the station in his signature red Toyota pickup, he strolled over to the open doors, took one look at the grinning faces of his friends, and turned around, flipping his baseball cap.

“I suspected something!” he said.

But then he turned back and gave Jennifer, who had secretly driven over to the station behind him, a big hug.

“Yes, she had supper with me,” he said. “Hope you’re all hungry.”

Old friends, such as Camden Firefighter Jeff Conan and Bob Oxton, former Camden Fire Chief, were on scene, as were firefighters from other departments, including Freeport Fire Chief — and former Rockland Fire Chief Charlie Jordan and his wife, Robin. 

It was a party, and as soon as the niceties, including a plaque bestowed on Woodward by the town, courtesy of Select Board members Deb Hall and Mark Kelley, had wrapped up, the stories began. Bob Oxton told of the time that he requisitioned Woodward’s help in extinguishing a kitchen fire.

The kitchen was new, and the homeowner forbade the firefighters from tearing the fresh ceiling down.

“Bruce went out to his truck, and came back in with a squirt gun,” said Oxton. “It was the right decision. I called my friend who had a squirt bottle.”

“We’ve had a lot of talks that we can’t say much about,” Oxton continued, as Woodward threw an arm around his shoulder.

Granville Ames asked Bruce how many years George Parker had volunteered as a firefighter. He started when he was 14 and retired “up into his 80s.”

“Seventy four years,” someone figured. “You’re going to have to have more years, Bruce.”

“No!” said Bruce.

Woodward was Rockport Fire Chief for 42 years, and a volunteer for eight years preceding that. And he has never retired; he only positioned another chief in front.

“He is here every single call,” said current Fire Chief Jason Peasley, who had organized the celebration. “We are seeing a lot of each other at 2 a.m., and we wanted to do something for you to thank you for your efforts.”

That “something” included a brand new Weber grill, a luxurious leather office chair — “for while you’re playing X-box, or flipping through Facebook and Snapchat,” said Peasley. Plus, they gave Bruce and Jennifer a gift certificate to Moody’s Diner, “for Teddy burgers,” Teddy being their dog.

“Well, I think I’m almost at a loss for words,” said Woodward.

But not before he told Peasley: “When you took over as chief it was a good group of firefighters and they are still here. You’ve added young blood and are doing an awesome job.”

“It’s an honor,” said Peasley.

Chief Jordan told Woodward, after first testing out his new executive leather reclining rolling chair: “I’ve always considered Bruce to be a mentor, and I think about what real leadership is. Real leadership is not a white shirt. It’s going to the drills with the guys on Thursday nights. It’s about going and being with your people. Thanks for having an impact in Rockland and for being a super person.”

Jeff Conan, from Camden, told Bruce,” You’re not done yet, Chummy,” and recounted a fire in Union 45 years ago, a hot summer day when a barn was full involved, when Bruce told him to go easy on the water out there, it wasn’t as if it flowed freely through the pipes like it does back in the big town of Camden.

Another younger firefighter thanked Woodward for “being a great teacher.”

“It’s all in the sauce,” he replied.

But in usual Woodward fashion, Bruce deflected the praise back on the firefighters.

“I come in at 2 or 3 a.m., and you guys all leave your trucks to run off to Rockland, and where the action is,” he said. “It’s the teamwork, trust and faith that I put into each of you that you would do your job to the best of your ability, and you have.”

He especially commended the Rockport Fire Department for becoming accomplished with extrication equipment, which has been used often, as Rockport’s highways are frequent crash sites.

Of firefighting for 50 years, Woodward said: “I’ve enjoyed it immensely. I appreciate you all coming out for a party that I didn’t know anything about.”

Then, people got busy eating and visiting, and enjoying Firefighter Royan Bartley’s Oreo truffles, if they were lucky enough to get one.

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657