It has been more than 15 years since Byron Rogers retired as chief of the Westbrook Fire Department, but the sound of a police scanner can almost always be heard in his Westbrook home.

At 81, Rogers keeps tabs on his family that is still very much involved in the firefighting community. Two of his sons are still active now – one in Alabama, and one nearby in South Portland.

He recently listened to the calls concerning the fire on Pierce Street that destroyed an apartment building, and ended up driving over to the scene. His son-in-law, John Wescott, is deputy chief of the Windham Fire Department, which also responded to the blaze. He joked that he “critiques” the job they’re doing.

Rogers is emblematic of the dedication that is celebrated at the fire department, and of the tradition of generations of families that serve in the department. This year, as the Westbrook Fire Department celebrates its 125th anniversary, Rogers reflected on his time as a firefighter.

“There was always a lot of family associated with the fire department,” he said last week, referring to big Westbrook families.

He mentioned the Esty family and the Wescotts. When his daughter, Jennifer, married John Wescott, it brought together two large Westbrook firefighting families.

Between Rogers and his father, Byron Sr., there is more than 70 years of service – more than half of the 125 years of the department. He estimated that his father joined the department in the 1930s.

“It was certainly a long time between when he came in and I got out,” he said.

When Rogers entered the Westbrook Fire Department in 1957, his father and three brothers were already working there. He had just returned from a five-year stint in the U.S. Navy and said simply, “that’s what we did.”

In those days, he said, there was a waiting list for the call company – a company within the fire department made up of per-diem firefighters.

“They had to vote you in,” he said, describing a ballot box with red and black color codes. Red meant you were in. He said the numbers of call company members have been dwindling in Westbrook and nationally due to intense training regulations that require more than 200 hours of training.

“It takes a lot of family time,” he said, adding that his wife Phyllis has “always been right there with me.”

Jennifer Wescott said this week that the fire department has been a part of her life since she was born.

“Growing up, all four of my brothers served as call firefighters. My brother Jimmy retired as a full-time firefighter from Westbrook and is now a full-time firefighter in Mobile, Ala., and my youngest brother works full time for South Portland and is a per diem at Scarborough,” she said.

Wescott also talked about growing up in a firefighting family.

“You learned very quickly you don’t turn down the scanner, block his car in and if you were lucky enough to get to go on calls with my dad, you’d better be fast, buckle up and don’t say a word en route to the scene,” she said.

Rogers eventually was in a ladder company, along with two brothers. He said having his brothers alongside made for some “friendly competition.”

“We had a good time,” he said.

Rogers shared a story about responding to a structure fire, when one of his nephews fell through a ceiling, landing in a bathtub on the floor below.

“It wasn’t funny at the time, but it is now looking back,” he said.

Rogers said he doesn’t remember fires well, but listed off fires at Wormell Farm and the Men’s Shop as the most noteworthy.

In the late 1960s, Rogers was promoted to captain in the call company, and in 1974, was promoted to a deputy chief until assuming the chief role in 1994. When he retired in 1999, he had served 42 years.

Clyde Chapman, a former Westbrook firefighter and historian, served as fire inspector when Rogers was chief. Chapman said Tuesday that they were “some of the best years of my career.”

“He not only knew you but he knew your family,” he said about Rogers. “He was the type of guy to ask how they were doing. You feel good about bosses like that.”

Rogers saw five decades worth of changes in the department. He said the biggest change was gear. Training, updated gear and safety regulations “changed tremendously.” He feels there should be better promotion of the call company.

Mike Sanphy, a Westbrook city councilor and former police officer and call firefighter, said this week that he has “great respect” for Byron. Sanphy said when he joined the Engine 3 Call Company in 1983, Rogers was deputy chief at the time.

“I was always confident working for him,” he said. “Byron’s ability as a fire ground commander was well known and he was highly respected by Westbrook firefighters and many of the chiefs and firefighters of surrounding communities.”

Chapman also agreed with Rogers’ focus on safety.

“He was the guy you wanted in charge,” he said.

Rogers’ leadership style, Chapman said, stemmed from his time as a call man, working his way up the chain.

Rogers said he was hard on his men about safety during his tenure. When chief, he removed beds from the dispatch headquarters because he didn’t believe they should be sleeping on the job.

Wescott said her dad was known for his stance on safety.

“I never worried when I heard him in command of a structure fire or any other scene, I always knew he would keep his men and women safe,” she said. “He’s one of the most well-respected chiefs statewide and I’m so glad I get to call him my dad.”

When asked why the firefighting profession seems to attract many members of families, Rogers said he didn’t know.

“Maybe because you’re brought up in it,” he said.

Former Westbrook Fire Chief Byron Rogers points out some memorabilia at his home from his years at the department. Rogers began in the call company in the late 1950s, making his way up to fire chief in 1994. Staff photo by Andrew RiceFire Chief Byron Rogers at his desk.Courtesy photoA family of firefighters, from left, Gerald Rogers, Wallace Rogers, Byron Rogers Sr., Byron Rogers Jr. and Clifton Rogers. Courtesy photo