Kincardine firefighters receive long-service medals

The Kincardine Fire Department hosted an awards and decoration ceremony Tuesday night (June 23), to recognize the commitment and dedication of its firefighters.

 

Medal recipients, firefighters, family and friends attended the ceremony at the Municipal Administration Centre.

 

Mayor Anne Eadie brought greetings from council and thanked the firefighters and their families for their dedication and hard work in serving the municipality, and congratulated the medal recipients on their federal and provincial recognition.

The 2015 Harvey Gunnis award, recognizing the most dedicated firefighter in Bruce County, was presented to the family of training officer Jim Willis who died suddenly Feb. 4, 2015. Nominees for the award are chosen by their fellow firefighters in the county and the recipient is chosen amongst the more than 400 firefighters in the county annually. 2015 marks the 31st year of the award and the loss of Wiarton fire chief Harvey Gunnis.

GOVERNOR GENERAL'S EXEMPLARY SERVICE MEDALS
 

The following were awarded the Governor General of Canada’s exemplary service medal:
 

• Captain Phil Cates
• Firefighter Andy McIntosh
• Firefighter Murray Harris
• Firefighter Leigh Christian (Retired)

 

The exemplary service medal, created Aug. 29, 1985, honours members of a recognized Canadian Fire Service who have completed 20 years of service, 10 years of which have been served in the performance of duties involving potential risks, and were employed on or after the date of creation of the medal. Recognized fire services include Canadian Fire Departments, Fire Marshall’s Offices, Fire Commissioner’s Offices and the Canadian Forces Fire Services.
 

Exemplary service is characterized by good conduct, industry and efficiency. Consideration is given only to periods of service for which no other long service, good conduct or efficiency decoration or medal has been awarded by the Crown. The medal may be awarded posthumously.

ONTARIO FIRE SERVICES LONG-SERVICE MEDALS

 

The following were awarded the Ontario Fire Services long-service medal:
 

• Deputy chief Michael Moore
• Captain George Harkness
• Captain Brian Young
• Firefighter Grant Robinson
• Firefighter Robert Arnold (Retired)
• Firefighter Mike Burrows (Retired)

 

First awarded in 1971, the long-service medal is an expression of public appreciation for the dedication and hard work of members of the Ontario Fire Services. It is officially recognized by the province and is included in the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997. Members of full-time and volunteer fire departments can qualify for the medal.
 
Recognized for 30 years of service, was captain Brian Minty. He received the first bar for the exemplary service medal and the first bar for the long-service medal.
 

Recognized for 40 years of service, was captain Ryan Mahood. He received the second bar for the exemplary service medal, and the third bar for the long-service medal.