Mauger began his career with Chesterfield Fire & EMS in 1974, as a 16-year-old at Enon Volunteer Fire Department in Chesterfield County. Warren Cunningham was his Chief and Bruce Vecchioni, the current District Chief, was a Lt. and his mentor.
Deputy Chief Mauger graduated from Recruit School #9. "I've witnessed a lot of changes since I graduated," Mauger explained. "Currently preparing to graduate is Recruit Class #35 and hiring for #36 has been intiniated. Amazing. In my beginnings with Chesterfield Fire & EMS there were 12 fire stations. Now Station 20 is almost ready to open."
"There were 65 firefighters then, now the number is 450. A fire engine went for about $65,000 and today's price tag is around $465,000."
Dispatch has rapidly advanced its abilities. "I served as a dispatcher," Mauger remembered. "There would only be one and everything was done manually. There wasn't any 911 system. Now there are numerous dispatchers, the 911 system and computers."
Mauger was born in Pennsylvania but raised in Chesterfield. He is remembered at Enon Volunteer Fire Department. "Paul Mauger was a dedicated individual even in his youth, who acted professionally even then,"said Enon District Chief Bruce Vecchioni. "I have confidence in him and his abilities. He will do a great job."
Mauger later was hired by the county as a dispatcher in 1977. He became a county career firefighter in 1978, was promoted to officer status as Sergeant in 1982 and has served as Deputy Chief under Elswick since 1998.
The seasoned leader has seen a little of everything. "On September 11, the firefighters and EMS crews were all brought closer together by that terrible tragedy. Three hundred forty-three firefighters died that day. It caused us to deeply reflect on who we are. It stirred our pride and it changed us all."
Recent rescue operations also bonded the close knit fire & EMS crews even more. "During tropical depression Gaston's floods," Mauger quietly reflected, "up to 15 inches of rain fell in hours. We had 11 major rescue operations going on simultaneously. There was no time to think. You went on instinct and training. It has to be a team effort always and I very plainly state that this organization is a team. Both volunteer and career make it what it is. It is not an individual person acting alone. Chesterfield Fire & EMS, volunteer and career, are a team. Both are invaluable."
Chief Steve A. Elswick is retiring after serving 31 1/2 years in Chesterfield County. "They will be big shoes to fill," Mauger said. "He was a strong, good leader. His energy is incredible. I definitely will miss him. You have to have a passion for this work and he has it. You have to have a servitude attitude. You can't do it for the money. You do it because you care and you love it."
