An online video series that profiles different occupations has shone a spotlight on retired Morden fire chief Andy Thiessen.
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to lead a fire department, a recent episode of What Do You Do produced by 47Filmworks follows Thiessen on the job, both at the fire hall and out on calls.
“In the end, we got a really good comprehensive idea of what it’s like to run a fire department,” said Clarke Wainikka, who is a Mordenite herself and has been part of the 47Filmworks crew.
“I think they did a really nice job. They painted me in a much better picture than I ever thought I would look like,” joked Thiessen.
They started filming for the piece about a year and a half ago, and it over time covered everything from firefighter training to actual fire calls. The profile also touches on recruitment as well as the wide array of equipment that firefighters use.
“It took longer than we wanted it to, but we’re very happy and proud to show it now,” said Wainikka.
And it was particularly special to be able to encounter a few fire calls along the way, she added.
“Andy’s first interview, I think, was interrupted by a fire call,” she noted. “Then we were also doing interviews with other firefighters at Andy’s retirement, and it was also interrupted by a call, and that moment is also in the documentary.”
Wainikka said it was extra special for her to have this opportunity to connect with Thiessen for the feature.
“The series focuses on unique jobs and dream jobs,” she explained. “It started as an idea to serve as a resource for students who didn’t feel like they really knew what they wanted to do in life … it just came from an idea of having more resources of what people do out there.”
On their dream job list was a firefighter or fire chief. Wainikka noted Thiessen didn’t hesitate when approached with the idea.
“One of the most interesting parts of my job is meeting people who are really interested and passionate about what they do, and Andy just exemplifies that,” said Wainikka, who noted it was a bit of a surprising twist when they learned he would be retiring after 45 years of service with the fire department, including the last 30 as chief.
“We didn’t know that when we started the documentary … then we decided, well, this is part of Andy’s story … so let’s follow it all the way to the end.”
“As the whole process was going on, I decided to retire, so then the whole flavour of the documentary kind of changed … and it included all of that as well,” said Thiessen.
He found it interesting to be put in the spotlight.
“It was very humbling … and for me, because I did retire, it’s a great keepsake for me that I will be able to have for a long time,” said Thiessen. “They made me feel very comfortable with it … it was a great group of people following me around there for a while.”
Thiessen added it gave him a bit of a new perspective on what he has done for most of his life.
“After it was done, I kind of leaned over to [my wife] Tami … and I thought I had a really great career and have really been blessed to have that kind of a job.”
