William Dale
Published in the Pontiac Journal on April 22, 2026
OTTER LAKE – In Otter Lake, the Vadneau name has long been synonymous with the fire service. For decades, the local fire hall was led by Rodney Vadneau, a man who dedicated 50 years to the department. Now, after 34 years of service himself, his son, Ronnie Vadneau, has officially stepped up as the new fire chief.
For Ronnie, the appointment isn’t just a promotion; it’s the culmination of a life spent in the shadow of the “big red trucks.”
“I’ve been in the service since I was 20,” Ronnie told the Journal. “My father was a big inspiration. My mom was always working, so I followed him to calls. He’d say, ‘Son, you’re not staying home. Get in the truck and stay there until I’m done.’”
That early exposure instilled a deep-seated commitment in Ronnie. Over the last three decades, he has climbed the ranks, learning the intricacies of rural firefighting and first response. He credits his predecessor, Denis Chaussé, with being a “backbone” of the service and helping prepare him for the transition.
“Denis has been incredible,” Ronnie said. “He took over after my father, and now he’s passed the torch to me. I know I have big shoes to fill.”
However, Ronnie isn’t the only Vadneau still answering the call. In a testament to the department’s longevity, his uncle, Lee Vadneau, remains a fully active member and first responder at 81 years old.
Vadneau is stepping into the role at a challenging time for volunteer departments across the Pontiac. The Otter Lake crew currently consists of more than 20 members, with three trainees enrolled in the year-long Firefighter 1 course. Despite these numbers, the chief is sounding the alarm on the need for new recruits.
“The ranks are getting thinner,” he explained. “It’s a difficult choice for people. It’s physically demanding, it’s on-call, and it’s not always a popular option for younger folks. But as our veteran members get older, they eventually have to be replaced.”
Looking ahead, Vadneau’s primary mission is twofold: maintaining rigorous fire safety standards and focusing on recruitment. He encourages anyone interested to submit a résumé and start at the ground level. As he puts it, “the more, the merrier.”
Photo: Otter Lake’s new fire chief, Ronnie Vadneau. (Submitted)
