After 28 years, Myron Derksen is retiring from the Winkler Fire Department.

His nearly three-decade tenure began at the age of 21 after returning home from college. While Derksen imagined a long wait list to join the department in the early 90's, to his surprise he was able to enter the Winkler firefighter ranks immediately. The fire department would go on to become a major part of his entire adult life.

However, Derksen says firefighting was in his blood, noting he followed his father's footsteps who was a firefighter during the infamous fire of 1961 that burned down a block in downtown Winkler.

The fire of 1961 raged through a series of businesses on Winkler's Main St.

"It feels good to be a part of something bigger than yourself, to be part of an organization that serves the community," Derksen says.

Staying on with the department was made easy, Derksen says, with the support from the community and city council, and strong leadership within the fire service over the years.

He notes over the past 30 years firefighting equipment has also improved drastically; when he started SCBAs (self-contained breathing apparatus) typically provided 15 minutes, now he says they get closer to 45 minutes. The purchase of thermal imaging goggles "which used to be science fiction" Derksen says, was also a significant improvement.

In the end, he says it's the camaraderie between WFD members that he remembers. "You'll never regret being involved with a group like that."