Captain John Mackintosh was honoured for more than 30 years of service. From left: Fire Chief Allen Zoeteman, Livingstone-Macleod MLA Chelsae Petrovic, Mackintosh, and Deputy Chief Perry Fraser. Photo by Melanie Cervo, Photo Expressions
Fort Macleod Fire Department members were praised Saturday for their dedicated service to the town and rural community.
Eight members received long service awards during the sixth annual gala dinner at the community hall, and all firefighters were saluted.
“I’m just so appreciative everyone here,” Livingstone-Macleod MLA Chelsae Petrovic said. “I know that it is not an easy job. It is an extremely difficult job.”
The Fort Macleod and District Community Hall was packed for the dinner, silent auction, awards and dance.
MD of Willow Creek emergency services manager Kelly Starling was master of ceremonies for the evening, which included dinner catered by Providence school volunteers.
Service awards were presented to John Mackintosh, George Fox, Huub Wooldrik, David Van Hierden, Juan Van den Bosch, Dallas Walker-Milan, John Den Boer and Kyle Van Herk.
Petrovic reflected on her personal experience as a licensed practical nurse working in the emergency department at Fort Macleod Health Centre.
“Before I was a politician, I was a nurse, and I’ve been able to work with so many individuals in this room,” Petrovic said. “Unfortunately, when the fire department shows up to the hospital, that means bad things are happening. But that also means the knowledgeable, supportive people in this room are helping others.”
Petrovic praised the firefighters and their family and friends for the sacrifices, from leaving dinners and other events at a moment’s notice to respond to emergencies.
“You guys handle it with such grace and such honour,” Petrovic said.
Petrovic and other people living in Fort Macleod and the MD of Willow Creek, or even just passing through, can rest easy knowing the fire department is ready if needed.
“Thank you so much for everything that you guys do, day in and day out to serve our communities,” Petrovic told the firefighters. “I have to say we are undeserving of you. It is a thankless job, and you guys do it with such great grace and honour.”
Coun. Christina Fox, whose husband George Fox is a firefighter, brought greetings on behalf of Fort Macleod council.
“I’ve seen the dedication, the long nights and the courage it takes to do this job,” Christina Fox said. “I’ve also seen the missed birthdays, the cold dinners and the holidays spent on calls instead of at home.”
“It truly is a life of service and sacrifice.”
MD of Willow Creek Coun. John Van Driesten spoke of the dedication required to serve with a rural fire department.
“I believe they’re a gift from God,” Van Driesten said, noting the many years of service to be honoured on Saturday.
“There’s so many people doing this job for 15, 20 or 30 years,” Van Driesten said. “It’s amazing. It just really humbles me that they can do that.”
Firefighters risk their own lives in the service of others, Van Driesten said, whether it is responding to fires or vehicle crashes.
The injured people that firefighters help as first responders can be a friend or family member.
“You can’t leave it at the door, like a farmer can or a doctor or lawyer,” Van Driesten said of the work of firefighters. “It goes with you. And it takes a special person.”
Following guest speaker Tyler Smith, who survived the horrific Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018, service awards were presented to eight firefighters.
Captain John Mackintosh received a federal award for 30 years of service.
George Fox received a provincial award for 22 years of service.
Huub Wooldrik was honoured for 20 years of service.
Lieutenant David Van Hierden, Juan Van den Bosch and Dallas Walker-Milan received 10-year service awards.
Firefighters John Den Boer and Kyle Van Herk received five-year service awards.
