Published April 29, 2014
Captain Jesse Grondines will retire from the CF on the 13th August 2010 after 30 years of service as a firefighter and Construction Engineer.
Jesse joined the military in February 1980 as a firefighter and upon graduating the QL3 course; he was first transferred to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. This posting was followed by various transfers, HMCS Saguenay, CFB Uplands Ottawa, HMCS Halifax on the trial crew which lasted long enough to deploy to the Adriatic Sea in 1994, CFB Shearwater and Garrison Edmonton. After spending 3 years within LFWA, he was commissioned to the rank of Captain in 2000 and attended the engineering school at CFB Gagetown. He then maintained his postings tempo arriving at CFB Halifax FCE NCT in December 2000 as a newly commissioned officer, followed by CFB Trenton CJIRU, CFB Trenton Fire Department and finally CFB Bagotville.
He served on various NATO commitments as a firefighter and was given the opportunity to conduct two TAV`s as a NCT Officer with 1ESU in the decommissioning of Camp Coralici and Tomislovgrad Bosnia.
Jesse has always been a proud member of the DND fire service due to their high level of professionalism and especially the services being rendered to the community. There are no words to describe the feelings of accomplishments during an emergency, having a parent, relative or friend watching the firemen assist someone in distress.
Jesse will not retire from the fire service as he will extend his career by joining the DND civilian firefighter force as Fire Chief at Garrison Valcartier. Jesse and his wife Francine will be moving to Quebec City while their children Jesse (son) and Stephanie are completing their university education in Edmonton and Halifax simultaneously.
A DWD ceremony will be held at the Stade in Chicoutimi to celebrate his career. Please forward best wishes and/or anecdotes to Serge.Longpre@forces.gc.ca