The safety of firefighters was Battalion Chief Eric Rynning's priority.
Rynning, who oversaw repairs and fire equipment operations of the Pembroke Pines Fire Department, has responded to his last emergency call after 25 years of service.
"I will miss the camaraderie and friendships," said Rynning, 45, who faced mandatory retirement under a new pension plan. "I will stay in contact but it's just not the same as in the fire station with the social setting, playing cards, ballgames and that sort of thing. I will also miss the excitement of the job and being able to do a job to be proud of."
Over the years, safety has vastly improved, he said.
"In the fire protection area, we have advanced. We are better protected than ever before," said Rynning, who oversaw the city's purchase of the first self-contained air packs in 1991. "The breathing apparatus is a lot safer, with the laws and standards in the fire agency.
"The city has been proactive, with the best equipment for personal protection with bunker gear and breathing apparatus."
Friends with Rynning since their McArthur High School days, Assistant Fire Chief David Donzella encouraged him to join the department.
"I introduced him to the fire service and the requirements, benefits and programs within the fire service," said Donzella, who had been on the job for a year at the time. "He's very logical and has great common sense. He's real handy with tools and equipment and well-respected in the department."
Donzella is set to retire July 31.
"I'll miss him, then I'm gone," Donzella said. "He always has good things to say."
As battalion chief, Rynning oversaw three fire stations on the west side of the city, Station 99 at 16999 Pines Blvd.; Station 79 at 19900 Pines Blvd.; and Station 101 at 6057 SW 198th Terrace. Former Assistant Division Chief of Logistics John Caprio has taken his place.
When there was an emergency that called for several responders, Rynning would assume command of the scene.
"It would be for any structure fire, large car accident or chemical spill that required multiple units to respond," said Rynning, whose brother, Norman, is a rescue division chief in Sunrise.
Rynning is a paramedic, but in his latest role he rarely provided direct patient care.
Later in his career, he became a certified paramedic.
"The job changed so much I had to become a paramedic, because most calls were medical, so I could supervise I went back to school," he said.
Rynning has no immediate plans on what he will do in retirement beyond spending more time with his family.
Having lived in Pembroke Pines since he was 5, he has seen its development firsthand.
"It was a small bedroom community, and the southwest section by Perry Airport was the biggest part of the city," he said. "If you went away for 10 to 15 years, you would not recognize the city."
The types and number of calls have changed over the years, he said.
"Most of the calls were vehicle accidents, plane incidents with Perry Airport, and there were not so many shopping centers," Rynning said. "Now there are mostly medical and fire alarm calls. With the technology, many have a home system and businesses have fire protection."
Assistant Division Chief of Training Shawn Gilmartin has been friends with Rynning for more than 35 years and worked with him in the department since 1983.
"He is probably the most-respected and most-liked person on the whole job," Gilmartin said. "He helps everybody, not just on the job, but off the job when people need help with a project, he has a helping hand always there for their service.
"I will miss everything about him. He is the kind of person you can count on."
