SUNDRE – Two members of the local fire department have been recognized for reaching major career milestones.
Sundre Fire Department Chief Ross Clews and senior firefighter Darryl Murphy earned long service medals that are awarded to members who have served for at least 30 years.
While members of the department had held back in January a private ceremony at the local hall that also celebrated the achievements of more junior members who completed their first years, both Clews and Murphy specifically were recently recognized in a more official capacity at the regular meeting of council on Feb. 26 when the riding’s MLA Jason Nixon attended briefly to present the medals before heading back on the road to Edmonton.
In praising the two veteran firefighters, Nixon drew from a personal experience in speaking about his own teenaged son Austin’s harrowing experience following a motor vehicle crash before Christmas.
“It’s hard to explain to people from Calgary or Edmonton,” Nixon told council and a small crowd that had gathered in the municipal chamber.
“They don’t get the fact that this is really a volunteer job of dedicated individuals that are our neighbours and our friends,” he said.
Members of small and rural fire departments that do not have full-time staff volunteer to serve but are compensated for time spent responding and also receive a tax credit.
“Both of these individuals – one of them twice for some of the toughest moments in my life – were there,” said Nixon, referring to Clews and Murphy, about the fateful day on Dec. 1 when his son’s vehicle rolled into a ditch near Bergen.
“My life changed drastically,” said Nixon.
“My youngest son Austin had a terrible accident not far from here, and both of the men I’m about to talk about tonight – amongst others – were there to respond,” he said, crediting the emergency crews not only with getting his son to safety but also for doing everything possible to improve his chances of making a full recovery.
“They’ve always been there. I don’t want to see them but if I do get in a wreck, I pray to God it’s here in Mountain View County and near Sundre because I think they’re the best,” he said.
Following a few words, the MLA excused himself from the council chamber and on his way out was asked how Austin is doing.
“He’s doing very good. He’s getting there,” said Nixon. “He’s still in the hospital but he’s coming along. He’s got a big test tomorrow, they’re going to try to see if they can get him eating.”
Nixon expressed confidence that Austin would “make a full recovery because of these guys.”
Council carried a motion expressing gratitude to the firefighters for their commitment to continue providing fire services to Sundre’s citizens.
