LEWISTON – Then-Private Michel Lajoie never said “10-4” to Lewiston Fire Chief Roland Dumais again.

“It was always ‘Roger,'” Lajoie said of his former fire chief back in the 1970s. Dumais, a man known for his kind nature but also his military precision, died unexpectedly Sunday. He was 91.

Dumais served in the Army during World War II, earning a bronze star for heroism. He later served as a Lewiston firefighter, joining the department in 1946. He served as fire chief from September 1958 to October 1971.

Former firefighters recall Dumais as a serious man with a strong military background. And when it came to radio calls, ending a conversation with “Roger” was the Army way.

Lajoie, who went on to serve as Lewiston fire chief for 12 years, had just joined Dumais’ department in 1970, coming from Poland Spring Fire and Security. That department used the more modern “Ten Codes” to communicate – and Lewiston would too, years later.

“But then, the chief preferred using the Army codes,” Lajoie said. He slipped once, on his way back from a call and was called to the chief’s office.

“I was still a rookie, and I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “He sat me down and said ‘That’s not the way we do it around here.’ It’s a funny story to think back on, but it was very serious at the time.”

Former Auburn Fire Chief Clifton Smith also got his start under Dumais. Smith’s father was a Lewiston firefighter, who worked under Dumais.

“I’d stop by, and he was very nice, always asking me how school was going and that sort of thing,” Smith said.

Smith would join Dumais’ department in 1964 and would remain a private in the department until Dumais retired in 1972.

“He was very good, exceptional, at administering the department,” Smith said. “Basically, he ran it like a military outfit. But he was very kind the entire time.”

Dumais also served as president of the Maine Fire Chiefs Association in 1963. Smith said Dumais was regarded well by the group.

“Years later, I served on the board,” he said. “When I attended those meetings, everyone wanted to know how Roland Dumais was. He was that well-respected around the state.”