Firefighter Junior Turner, left, and Deputy Chief S. Clyde Ross are recognized Tuesday by Farmington Fire Rescue Department. The men joined the department May 3, 1971, and have together dedicated 100 years of service to the department. Farmington Fire Rescue photo

FARMINGTON — Farmington Fire Rescue recognized two of its own Tuesday evening for their combined 100 years of dedication to the department.

Deputy Chief S. Clyde Ross and firefighter Junior Turner joined the department on the same day, May 3, 1971 — 50 years ago, Chief Terry Bell said Wednesday morning.

Turner was part of the Farmington Falls department before then, Bell said. Turner joined Farmington Fire Rescue when the Falls Fire Co. became part of the Farmington department, he added.

“Junior’s been involved with firefighting more than 50 years,” Bell said.

Ross became a chief officer in 1978 and deputy chief in 1993. He has completed Fire Fighter I and II trainings and has Instructor I status. He has set up firefighting training programs throughout the town and county and teaches fire prevention. He has helped plan and participated in numerous emergency drills. Ross has been involved with the Foster Career and Technical Education Center firefighter program since it began in 2001.

In 2003, Ross was recognized for meeting the requirements of Chief Fire Officer Level 1 Certification Program.

Ross was an educator in Turner and Farmington schools before retiring in 1996.

In 2019 the Farmington town report was dedicated to Ross.

Before selling in 2008, Turner owned Turner’s Tendercuts, a barbershop on the eastern end of Broadway, which he operated for 40 years. He has also been active in Farmington’s Downtown Association.

Last fall, Turner helped with new signage at the Falls Fire Co. in Farmington Falls.

“It’s been an honor and a privilege to work with both of these men,” Bell said. “You’ve taught me a lot and you’ve done a lot.”

“These guys come to the majority of our calls,” he continued. “They’re very dependable and I hope we can continue to work with them.”