City of North Bend release - North Bend Fire & Rescue Lt. John Lucero was honored Tuesday night for 25 years of service to the city and its residents during a recognition ceremony at the North Bend City Council meeting.  Fire Chief Jim Brown introduced Lucero and praised his longtime leadership and reliability, recalling a recent rope rescue standby call where Lucero arrived with his young granddaughter, Avery. As firefighters prepared for the incident, Brown said Avery summed up what every fire family understands when duty calls.  “She kept saying, ‘Papa’s gotta go,’ and that’s something all of our families know as firefighters,” Brown said. “For 25 years, when something happens, he says, ‘gotta go,’ and everybody understands. We appreciate the dedication he has shown to the city. That’s one of the ways he’s a great leader.”  Brown presented a plaque to Lucero recognizing “25 years of excellence,” noting that Lucero’s commitment and courage have made “a lasting difference in the lives of his fellow firefighters and the citizens he serves,” and that his service reflects the dedication and excellence that define the North Bend Fire Department.  Lucero, speaking to the council, his colleagues and family members, said the people around him have made his career meaningful.  “It’s been a wonderful career, and what makes it wonderful is, first of all, this family, which is everything to me, and then this family,” Lucero said, gesturing to both his relatives and fellow firefighters. “I’m super blessed. I’ve got the best wife in the world who supports me in everything, and you guys have just been wonderful.”  Lucero said one of his favorite parts of the job has been mentoring newer firefighters and watching them advance.  “My most favorite thing in the fire service is to work with the younger guys and gals and then watch them move on and start their own careers,” he said. “It is wonderful to see. I’m just very blessed to have friends and family that have supported me through everything. So thank you all — and there’s more to come.”  The council and audience responded with applause in appreciation of Lucero’s 25 years of service to North Bend Fire & Rescue and the community it serves.