Gordon Wren, the director of Emergency Services for Rockland County, is retiring after 41 years.

The Vietnam veteran turned firefighter says he was captivated by the uncertainty and strength of moving flames.

“I started to really get interested in training,” said Wren. “I started reading books on fire; became a student of fire. Somehow I ended up here.”

Wren has been a fixture to this community, and some say he even helped build the Pomona Fire Training Center.

Wren says he won't soon forget the people he's met and the moments he's had as a fixture in this fire department.