The council chambers were filled with ceremonial blues last week (June 26) as local firefighters received awards for their years of service with the Olds Fire Department.
A dozen firefighters were singled out for their first, fifth, and 10th year of service. In addition, one veteran fireman had a few more notches on his fire axe ñ Leonard Brandson was the first Olds firefighter to be recognized for 50 years of service.
Brandson began his career in Innisfail, but a job transfer moved him to Olds, where he quickly joined the local volunteer fire department.
"It's what I did instead of joining a service club," he said. "I figured it was a service that was far more valuable to the people ñ (the) town of Olds, or any town."
Back then, he said, the firefighters weren't decked out in the advanced turnout gear they wear now, capable of withstanding temperatures into the thousands.
"We had canvas coats, fibre helmets, rubber boots," said Brandson. "That was it. And you went in firefighting."
Brandson says he's seen his share of spectacular blazes over the years, including a historic fire on Nov. 1, 1978, that destroyed downtown grain elevators, the arena and the original Cow Palace.
"Over the years we've had lots and lots of major fires," he said. "You kinda try and forget them ñ you go for fun stuff, things you try to remember." For Brandson, that includes parties and Christmas celebrations, playing on ball and hockey teams, and giving to charity.
These days, Brandson is considered an auxiliary member of the department ñ still part of the team, but not called to active duty.
"Basically, we're what I class as gophers," said Brandson. "We go for coffee, we go for water, we go get a fan, or whatever they need at a scene."
At this point, Brandson says he's content to play a supporting role.
"You're still part of everything," he said about himself and four other local firefighters over 70 years. "You're not an active firefighter, and we'd just as soon not be active firefighters, when all these young guys can go in there and do the job."
It's a job he's had plenty of opportunity to do.
"It's a lot of years, a lot of time in Ö Took 50 years to do that," he said with a smile.
SIDEBAR: PLEASE FORMAT WITH BOLD HEADERS
OLDS Fire Department - Years of Service Awards
50 YEARS
Leonard Brandson
10 YEARS
Derrick Marshall
Ben Opheim
5 YEARS
Sara Durocher
Lance Parrott
Dale Worth
1 YEAR
Stu Didyk
Taylor Jacobson
Erick Valencia
Jamie Vasseur
Josh Watkins
Pete Waycott
"We had canvas coats, fibre helmets, rubber boots," said Brandson. "That was it. And you went in firefighting."LEONARD BRANDSONFIREFIGHTER
