Bob Merner has served in various roles throughout his career with the Zurich fire department
Fast forward to now, 52 years later, and Merner, 82, has decided it’s finally time for him to stop battling blazes.From our newsroom to your inbox at noon, the latest headlines, stories, opinion and photos from the Toronto Sun.By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails or any newsletter. Postmedia Network Inc.
Since signing up in 1971, Merner has seen countless changes in firefighting. In his early years, he was one of the few firefighters with a phone in his home specifically used to get called out to blazes. Using a switch in his home, Merner would then turn on the fire station’s siren and gather with the rest of the firefighters at the station.Article content
But over the years, technology was introduced and procedures adjusted in the department, and Merner said the introduction of new technology was the biggest source of change. “The change is unbelievable. At my age, it’s hard to keep up.”