A few members of the Lloydminster Fire Department have come in for praise for their years of service in the community and received medals of commendation at Lloydminster City Hall on Monday Dec. 12.
The long service list includes:
- Firefighter Keith Rushton, 12-year medal (14yrs total)
- Firefighter Stu McPhee, 12-year medal
- Firefighter Maverick Hann, 12-year medal (13yrs total)
- Captain Brad Martin, 12-year medal (16yrs total)
- Asst. Fire Chief Bill Heesing, 32-year bar
- Captain Kevin Lider, 40-year bar
Fire Chief Leigh Sawicki saw the combined years of experience as being a bonus for community safety.
“Having this number of people here with 12, 30, 40-years of service – I think it just shows the dedication that these members have within the community and the level of protection that the city has with these members and that experience.”
That being said the department is always open to younger talent and Sawicki added that new members had a lot to gain with the presence of the existing team.
“We encourage new recruits and younger recruits, if this is a career that they want to take up – I think it’s good that they are looking at this and if having these types of members that have this level of experience and can pass that experience on to younger members; I think it’s absolutely incredible.”
Assistant Fire Chief Bill Hessing has 32-years as a fire officer, with some 20-years in Fort Saskatchewan and almost four-years in Lloydminster. He says he is happy to be recognized along with his peers and his biggest takeaway is being open to change.
“You know – changing technology, change in apparatus, change in equipment. Also, trying to stay on top to keep the members you serve safe and keep the community safe.”