Dana Granger was a dispatcher and volunteer firefighter for the Gates Fire District for 23 years. He retired last month and friends gave a retirement party in his honor this month.
NAME Dana Granger
AGE 62
HOMETOWN Fairport
FAMILY His dad opened Rotary Gas Station in 1962. Married to Phyllis, for 39 years, daughter Desiree is married Steve Brown, who works with the Gates Fire District
EDUCATION Graduated from Gates Chili in 1966 and took countless fire service classes
ABOUT GRANGER
Dana Granger was a dispatcher and volunteer firefighter for the Gates Fire District for 23 years. He retired last month and friends gave a retirement party in his honor this month.
BACKGROUND
He spent 43 years as a volunteer firefighter. Granger previously worked with Brighton for a few years. He also worked at Monroe Community College Public Safety Training Center as a facilitator for command post operations, teaching those starting out as a command officer.
Hobbies and interests
Granger loves to fish, garden and other outdoor activities.
What was the most rewarding part of working in the fire-fighting field?
“Dealing with the people has always been my priority. Public safety and fire safety has always been my priority. Dealing with them and trying to keep everyone happy.”
What were some of the most challenging parts of the job?
“Oh I’ve had some that stick in my memories. There was a fatal fire in Poplar Gardens and a truck rollover on expressway. The most challenging was a 36-car pileup on the expressway with a mass casualty.”
What advice would you have for new firefighter recruits?
“It’s a very challenging occupation. If you want to do the job and get paid, you have to get on the civil service list and take the civil service test. For telecommunicators, you have to score high enough to get picked. It’s a really challenging career and really nice career.”
What will you miss the most?
“Besides with the public, the guys that I worked with. I had a heck of group and will miss some of the stuff we did, like the boot for MDA and bell-ringing.”
What are you planning for retirement?
“Being a life member. Planning some stuff to go outside do some fishing. My wife and I want to go travel. I’m playing a lot of it by ear.”
