Comox Fire Rescue recently held its annual awards banquet.
At this banquet firefighters are recognized for their years of service (in five year increments) while others are recognized for other contributions.
Firefighters Elsa Gilroy and Colin Hanes were both recognized for their five years of service. Lieutenants Chris Gytenbeek and Jay Everitt were both recognized for 10 years of service. Lieutenants Ron Barrow and Dave Davies where both recognized for 15 years of service.
Captain Robert Stevens and firefighter Al McMurdo both received a federal long service medal for 20 years of exemplary service.
“Rookie of the Year” was awarded to Jon Watkins. Brent Craven was awarded the “Firefighter of the Year”.
Captain Pascal Lafreniere received the “Stewart Rennie Memorial Award” titled, “I Made a Difference!”
Lieutenant Jerry Snook received the “Kevin Kimler Memorial Award” titled, “Above and Beyond.”
Assistant Chief Jim Lariviere was acknowledged for his outstanding dedication and commitment of the organization and community.
“I am so proud of all of our members,” said Comox Fire Chief Gord Schreiner. “It takes a very special person to volunteer for anything, let alone to be a firefighter and an even better person to serve for many, many years. We are very demanding of our firefighters and expect a very high level of training and effectiveness from them. We are very fortunately, here in Comox to have such a great group of firefighters assisting our community in so many ways. Our firefighters are our most important asset. Combined, our three chief officers have more than 100 years of service. We are a successful organization because of all the great people we have within the organization.”
Comox Fire Rescue has five full-time and 45 highly-trained part-time members. Together they total about 400 years of service. They responded to about 700 emergencies incidents a year.