By Logan Bagett on Friday, January 31st, 2025 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
ONTARIO — enjoy your time, and, Firefighter Mark Saito, we’ll take it from here.” Those were the final words in Malheur County Dispatcher Charlotte Rico’s send-off to retired Ontario Firefighter Mark Saito. Ontario Fire and Rescue held a retirement celebration for Saito on Thursday. Mark served on the department for 25 years.
Ontario Fire & Rescue wrote, “We recently held a retirement celebration for this truly remarkable firefighter, husband, father, grandpa, brother-in-arms, and friend to so many.”
The department reports that Captain Gammage had heartfelt words for Mark, dubbing him a “Forever Firefighter.”
Malheur County Dispatcher Charlotte Rico had a heartwarming final message for Firefighter Saito. Listen to that message here, courtesy of Malheur County Scanner—and good luck keeping a dry eye:
Ontario Fire and Rescue noted that, “As a final send-off, A-Shift proudly walked Mark to his car and, in true jokester fashion that embodies Mark, doused him with Silly String for a proper farewell!
Words can’t fully express the deep gratitude the City of Ontario holds for this man. Mark Saito, you are our true hero.”
**Photos from Ontario Fire and Rescue**