PENHOLD – The town’s finest for the year were recently honoured for their hard work, dedication and sacrifice.
Fellow firefighters, friends and family joined members of Penhold council during the annual presentation of the Penhold Fire Recognition awards at a council meeting on Feb. 10.
This year, fire officer of the year was awarded to Sean Flight and firefighter of the year was awarded to Warren Kitteringham.
“I’m so blessed that there very easily could have been 10 or 15 firefighters of the year,” said Jim Pendergast, Penhold fire chief.
“So many firefighters do so many things. From Brittany who takes care of the cadet program…Carter takes care of all our small equipment for us, Bailey our radios and Nicole, who’s been firefighter of the year before, she takes care of all of our gear for us. I’m just so blessed to have so many good firefighters.”
All firefighters have volunteer positions and do not get paid for either training or for attending calls, noted Pendergast.
“I greatly appreciate mayor and council giving out the awards,” he said. “It’s a small token but the firefighters greatly appreciate it.”
In addition to the annual awards this year, several firefighters received a special commendation, a challenge coin from the High Level Fire Department to thank Penhold for its assistance with fires last spring.
“We had firefighters up there. For all of May of 2019 we kept a whole crew of four up there, rotating them,” said Pendergast. “Then in June we sent another unit back and for most of June (they) were up there, mostly in the La Crete area,” he added, noting a total of 12 firefighters from Penhold assisted up north.
Penhold mayor Mike Yargeau was pleased to recognize members of the local fire department for their service.
“We’re just so proud and impressed by the group that we have in Penhold,” said Yargeau, noting the department is run by volunteers.
“It’s no secret that we probably have the best fire department in Central Alberta.
“I think it’s really great how the officers choose the firefighter of the year and the firefighters choose the officer of the year,” Yargeau concluded.
