The legacy of a former – and fallen – Kamloops Fire and Rescue chief continues to live on in the hearts of his family and fellow firefighters.

Neil Moroz, who served with Kamloops Fire and Rescue for 28 years, died last month following a battle with occupational cancer. The Kamloops Professional Fire Fighters’ Association confirmed his passing Feb. 9.

Both personal and professional memories of Moroz were shared with the Chronicle by fellow retired firefighter and brother-in-law Rob Chalmers and son Derek Moroz, who is also a former member of Kamloops Fire and Rescue.

“So many people looked up to Neil,” said Chalmers. “He was a highly intelligent, bright, and quick learning kind of guy. He would see something once and his mind was like a steel trap and it was there for good.”

Moroz served with Kamloops Fire Rescue for roughly 28 years, rising through the ranks before being appointed fire chief in 2009. He led the department through a period of growth and operational change before retiring in 2013.

Over the course of his career, Moroz was recognized for his dedication to the profession, receiving the Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal in 2005. Following retirement, he continued contributing to emergency services, helping train structure protection personnel with the First Nations Emergency Services Society.

As a professional, Chalmers said Moroz was a natural leader who excelled in his roles as he made his way up the ranks. He was willing to listen to those around him without ego.

“It was all about how do we make this fire department better. How do we serve the people of Kamloops better,” he said. “So many people owe Neil a debit of gratitude for the time he spent and the knowledge he imparted on them.”

Moroz was also progressive when it came to providing firefighters with the best possible equipment to not only protect them, but the people of Kamloops, said Derek.

“He was always on the forefront of trying to see what was next and what we needed to have and do so that we never fell behind,” he said. “Anything we required to do our job properly, he was adamant that we had the best and could do the best job for the people beside us and the citizens of Kamloops.”

But Moroz was more than just a firefighter. As a person, he had time for everybody and treated everyone – be they a dispatcher or one of his neighbours – with respect, said Chalmers, adding he set the bar for how a person should handle himself.

“As a dad, as a brother, as an uncle, and lately as a grandpa, he was just unmatched,” he said.

Derek concurs.

“From a dad point of view I’m obviously the luckiest guy in the world.”

Although retired for 13 years, the Moroz legacy also lives on at Kamloops Fire and Rescue. Fire Chief Ken Uzeloc never served with the late chief, but he is well aware of the work Moroz did.

This includes travelling to New York to assist in the wake of 9/ 11 and seeing a new fire hall built in Aberdeen.

“Chief Moroz made things better,” said Uzeloc.