INNISFAIL – They are the lucky seven – the town's good fortune to have serving the community bravely and unselfishly.
The seven veteran Innisfail Fire Department volunteer firefighters were honoured last week with two awards.
Five received the Canadian Volunteer Firefighters Medal (CVFM), a municipal award for volunteer and paid-on-call firefighters who have provided 30 or more years of service to their communities.
As well, six of the volunteer firefighters received new bars to the Alberta Emergency Services Medal (AESM), awarded after 12, 22, 32 and 40 years of service to fire rescue personnel, EMS, emergency management and emergency dispatchers.
The awards were handed out to the seven on Oct. 11 at the Innisfail Fire Hall, an evening that was marked by a public celebration and barbecue for the annual Fire Prevention Week.
The honoured seven of the Innisfail Fire Department were retired fire chief Delano Fehr (CVFM – 30 years); former fire chief and now firefighter John Syroid, CVFM - 40 years and AESM – 22, 32 and 40 years; firefighter – pump operator Ronald Huseby, CVFM – 40 years and AESM – 22, 32 and 40 years; firefighter – pump operator Daniel Urban, CVFM – 35 years and AESM – 22 and 32 years; deputy chief Dennis Fehr, CVFM – 30 years and AESM – 22 and 32 years; assistant deputy chief Clark Maldaner, AESM – 22 years and assistant deputy chief Tim Ainscough, AESM – 22 years.
Syroid, who has been a volunteer firefighter for 41 years – including 10 years as fire chief until 2013, said getting another honour was “nice to display on (my) chest.”
He said he still loves being actively involved with the fire department, emphasizing there are things he can learn every day he is called for service.
“The camaraderie is a family affair. It's great,” said Syroid, adding it is “fun” to work with the young recruits. “They want to learn. They are eager and very dedicated.”
See pages 34 and 35 for story on fire department's public celebration during Fire Prevention Week.
