Courtesy: Town of Peace River
Peace River and County of Northern Lights Fire Department members recognized at Annual Awards Night
December 19, 2024 – The Peace River and County of Northern Lights Fire Departments held their Annual Awards Night on December 14th in Peace River. Fire Chief Tim Harris presented nine awards to the members and Mark Owens, President of the Peace River Firefighters Association, presented the President’s Award.
“The awards represent and recognize the achievements that the members have attained over the year” said Chief Harris, “whilst some awards, such as the Attendance Award and Fit-to-Fight Award are based on performance numbers, other awards, such as the Firefighter of the Year and the Officer of the Year are based on nominations from fellow firefighters who recognize the efforts of their peers”.
The 2024 award recipients were:
· Attendance Awards – Junior Fire Fighter Aiden Archibald (Weberville Fire Dept.) and Captain Patrick Connellan (Peace River Fire Dept.)
· Fit-to-Fight Fitness Award – Lieutenant Tim Berger (Weberville Fire Dept.)
· Kenzie Peterson Junior Firefighter of the Year Award – Junior Firefighter Aiden Archibald (Weberville Fire Dept.)
· Rookie of the Year Award – Firefighter Laura Hanna (Weberville Fire Dept.)
· Most Improved Firefighter Award – Engineer Zach Krahn (Weberville Fire Dept.)
· Martin Cooper Award of Merit – Captain Patrick Connellan (Peace River Fire Dept.)
· Lee Vickery Award for Firefighter of the Year – Firefighter Stephanie Amor (Peace River Fire Dept.)
· Don Konkin Award for Officer of the Year – Lieutenant Drew Keddie (Peace River & Weberville Fire Dept.)
· Fire Chief’s Award – Engineer Mark Owens (Peace River Fire Dept.)
· President’s Award – Senior Firefighter Jesse Kasouf (Peace River Fire Dept.)
Two retiring members from Dixonville Fire Department were also recognized for their years of service to the Department and the Community. Engineer Cheryl Rogers and Firefighter Cameron Jackson officially “rang” themselves out at the event and County of Northern Lights Reeve, Terry Ungarian, thanked them for their dedication and service to the County.
Also in attendance at the awards were Peace River Mayor Elaine Manzer, who brought greetings and appreciation from the Town of Peace River Council, along with Councilors Shelly Shannon, Brad Carr and Byron Schamehorn. County of Northern Lights Councilor Gary These was also in attendance. Reeve Ungarian also brought greetings and appreciation from the County of Northern Lights and also mentioned the special collaborative relationship that the two departments have.
Chief Harris also mentioned another recent ceremony the department conducted to recognize Firefighters “On November 5th we held our Graduation ceremony to induct all new recruits and new members that have completed their basic training over the year” he said. “The ceremony includes the member receiving their membership coin, uniform epaulettes, “ringing” themselves in with our ceremonial bell, and citing an oath”. The seven members inducted were; Shane Brady, Laura Hanna, Natasha Hrynyk, James Klassen, Dawn Naumann, Rockwell Plante and Sajin Santhosh.
The Town and County Departments are always seeking a few more members to join their ranks. If you are interested in learning new skills and serving your community, please contact Chief Tim Harris at 780-624-2993 or tharris@peaceriver.ca
