On November 9, Canton Fire Department will say goodbye to six of its veteran firefighters. Captain Dennis Draplin, Captain Rick Paulun, Lieutenant Tom Battistone, Lieutenant George Daubresse, Lieutenant Jack Raker and Lieutenant James Sumner will be retiring after more than 174 years of combined service.

Captain Dennis Draplin was hired onto the fire department in 1975 as a fire cadet. In 1977, he was offered a position as a full-time firefighter with the department. During his 31 years of service, Draplin has received many awards and citations from the department, including a Unit Award for meritorious service and Firefighter of the Year in 2005. He has maintained many certifications including his Emergency Medical Technician license and Fire Officer I, II and III. Throughout his career, Draplin has been involved with several projects and committees. Most recently, he was a pivotal member of the committee established for the planning and construction of the new Fire Station #3. Draplin was promoted to Captain in 2003, becoming responsible for three fire stations, three lieutenants and 18 firefighter/paramedics. He graduated from Fire Staff and Command at Eastern Michigan University that same year. Dennis has been married to his wife Nancy for 16 years, and has 3 sons and 2 daughters.

Captain Melvin (Rick) Paulun was hired onto the fire department in 1974 as a fire cadet. In 1977, he was offered a position as a full-time firefighter with the department. During his 32 years of service, Paulun has received several awards including a Unit Award for meritorious service, and a Life Saving Award in 2003. Paulun has also held many licenses and certifications in extrication, leadership, management, and Fire Officer I, II & III, just to name a few. He graduated from Fire Staff and Command at Eastern Michigan University in 2003. Captain Paulun has also been on many departmental committees including training, building, uniforms and oral board interviews. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in April of this year. Throughout his career, Paulun has received many letters from citizens thanking him for his professionalism and compassion while assisting them at their time of need. Rick has been married to his wife Dorothey for 28 years, and they live in Dexter with their 3 sons, Andy, 19, Branden, 17, and Kevin, 14.

Lieutenant Thomas Battistone was hired onto the fire department in 1977, and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2004. During his 29 years of service he has received four life saving awards, a commendation and unit award for meritorious service, and an academic achievement award. He has also proudly delivered seven babies while working on the rescue squad earlier in his career. Battistone has received numerous letters over the years from citizens thanking him for his kindness and professionalism, including a letter years ago from a fellow police officer thanking him for his help with a suspect fighting during an attempted arrest. Lieutenant Battistone has been involved on several departmental committees including training and policies & procedures, as well as serving time as treasurer on the department’s local union board. Battistone has held many certifications throughout his career including that of an Emergency Medical Technician, Fire Officer I, II & III, Arson Detection, Hazardous Materials Awareness and Fire Service Supervision. In 2005, Battistone attended Fire Staff and Command at Eastern Michigan University, where he graduated first in his class. He describes his time on the job as rewarding, exciting and challenging. Tom currently lives in Chelsea with his wife Maureen, and has a 22-year old daughter and three sons ages 23, 20, & 16.

Lieutenant George Daubresse was hired onto the fire department in 1977. During his 29 years of service he has maintained several licenses and certifications including his Emergency Medical Technician license. Daubresse has been involved with renovations of the old fire stations and helped maintain vehicles earlier in his career. Daubresse was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2003, becoming responsible for the supervision of the firefighter/paramedics assigned to his station. He graduated from Fire Staff and Command at Eastern Michigan University in 2005. Throughout his career he has received several letters from citizens thanking him for his help and caring service during their time of emergency. George has been married to his wife Vicki for 36 years. They have five children, 22 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Lieutenant Jack Raker was hired onto the fire department in 1977. During his 29 years of service he has held many licenses and certifications including his Emergency Medical Technician license. Raker has also served on many departmental committees including the EMT and Safety committees. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1998, becoming responsible for supervising the firefighter/paramedics assigned to his station. Raker graduated from Fire Staff and Command at Eastern Michigan University in 2003. Jack and his wife Sheila have lived in Canton for the past 31 years, and have two daughters, ages 20 and 16.

Lieutenant James Sumner was hired onto the fire department in 1977. During his 29 years of service he has received two unit awards for meritorious service and two life saving awards, both within the last 6 years. Sumner has maintained many licenses and certifications during his career including his Emergency Medical Technician license and Fire Officer I, II and III. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2001, becoming responsible for supervising the firefighter/paramedics assigned to his station. Sumner graduated from Fire Staff and Command at Eastern Michigan University in 2004. He has been involved with several departmental committees dealing with department software programs and hazardous chemical surveys for businesses in Canton. Jim has been married to his wife Diane for 34 years. They have two sets of twins, daughters age 28, and a daughter & son age 24, and two granddaughters’ ages 3 and newborn.

Fire Chief Michael Rorabacher states, "These six command officers have made a huge contribution to the fire department. As the department has evolved into a first class emergency response agency, these officers influenced that change and provided leadership. Each of them exhibited attributes that made them individually outstanding; however, their common goal was a higher level of service for the citizens of Canton. While they will be missed, we wish them all the best in their retirement."