At the beep of a pager, he could be called to a fire scene to counsel a family suddenly left homeless or to help a firefighter or paramedic haunted by a gruesome image.

“I go when they need me,” said Pastor Ron Wickens, chaplain for the Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service.

He brings to the role 22 years of experience as a police officer in London, Ont.

“I know some of the things they went through and understand the camaraderie firefighters have for each other,” Wickens said from the Salvation Army Citadel at 42 Bond St. in Fenelon Falls where he is co-pastor.

“It’s a one of-a-kind thing and something people would find very hard to understand unless they’ve walked in those shoes.”

Chaplaincy is somewhat difficult to explain. Wickens said, borrowing words offered to him by his predecessor, Rev. Rod Lewis, who retired last year.

The role is not limited by certain parameters or a job description, he said.

Basically, Wickens has an open door to fire service staff, and continues to meet them through various social functions.

He can also be summoned for immediate counsel at a fire scene where individuals have experienced tragedy; calling him in is a decision made by administration on scene.

Wickens knows a thing or two about tragedy. As a police officer, he was on the surviving end of a fatal 1991 shooting incident that prompted him to dedicate his life solely to God with the Salvation Army.

“He wanted more out of my life,” he said.

The situation changed Wickens’ entire outlook and helped him form words of wisdom that he can now offer to others.

“Take advantage of the moments we have in front of us. Learn from and build relationships with those around you each day,” he said. “You live each day for what it gives. Don’t worry about tomorrow, enjoy what is in front of you each day.”

Wickens, who has served in Fenelon Falls for nearly four years, said he was “humbled” by the “open-ended opportunity” to be the fire service’s chaplain and he accepted it with much gratitude.

One of the role’s challenges is simply getting to know those behind the service; with over 400 firefighters, Wickens knows that’s going to take some time.

But he knows all of them are as human as anyone else.

“They bleed, cry and are human, too, and able to share, not only in the good times, but the bad. God is there despite what we think, and giving us hope and love,” he said.

Beyond getting to know the personnel, there is the challenge of breaking down barriers and building relationships, he said.

The rewards: “To see someone recognize God is involved, despite what seems to be an insurmountable situation. There is hope.”

Wickens’ wife, Judi, is co-pastor at the Fenelon Falls Salvation Army. They have a 17 “going on 30” year-old daughter and 24-year-old son.

When he’s not ministering, Wickens enjoys hockey, fitness, reading, walking the dog and rooting for the National Football League’s Pittsburgh Steelers.

Kawartha Lakes has been a pleasant change from London’s more urban environment and here, they relate to people differently, Wickens said.

“For us it’s an exploration of rural ministry . . . we thoroughly enjoy our ministry up here and the people,” he said, describing the work as more “hands-on” than some others.

“I’d rather get to know more about the person,” he said, explaining how he can walk beside others as they embark on “the journey of life.”

Part of his role is helping others understand that getting help is not a bad thing.

“Counselling is not a dirty word. If it’s left unchecked, it will have a domino effect on everything else in your life.”

by Jason Bain
Reprinted with permission from the Lindsay Daily Post