Six members of the Orangeville Fire Service have received awards for long and exemplary service to our community. Orangeville Fire Chief Ronald Morden and Deputy Chief Mike Richardson attended the December 6 ceremony to congratulate the firefighters for their contribution to fire prevention, safety, and suppression.
“Our firefighters are committed to serving and protecting our community,” Chief Morden said. “Some members spend years as volunteers before joining our fire service as full-time firefighters. The fact that they are so committed, and spend their entire careers protecting Orangeville residents, shows that our firefighters love what they do and the communities they serve.”
Three firefighters were presented with the Provincial Fire Services Long Service Medal. This award is an expression of public appreciation for the dedication and hard work of Ontario firefighters. The long service medal and subsequent service bars are available to those who have achieved a minimum of 25 years in suppression, training, public education, inspections, and communications.
The Provincial Fire Services Long Service award recipients are:
- Captain Justin Foreman – Provincial Fire Services Long Service Medal for 25 years of service
- Acting Chief Fire Prevention Officer Dwight VanAlstine – Provincial Fire Services Long Service Medal for 25 years of service
- Firefighter Dave Pater – Provincial Fire Services Long Service Bar for 35 years of service
Three additional firefighters were awarded the Federal Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal. This award honours members of a recognized Canadian fire service who have completed a minimum of 20 years of service, 10 years of which have been served in the performance of duties involving potential risk. Exemplary service is characterized by good conduct, industry and efficiency.
The Fire Services Exemplary Service award recipients are:
- Acting Captain Shane Cunningham – Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal for 20 years of service
- Firefighter Erik Nielsen – Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal for 20 years of service
- Captain Tom Gillies – Fire Services Exemplary Service Bar for 30 years of service
- Captain Justin Foreman – Provincial Fire Services Long Service Medal for 25 years of service
- Acting Chief Fire Prevention Officer Dwight VanAlstine – Provincial Fire Services Long Service Medal for 25 years of service
- Firefighter Dave Pater – Provincial Fire Services Long Service Bar for 35 years of service
- Acting Captain Shane Cunningham – Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal for 20 years of service
- Firefighter Erik Nielsen – Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal for 20 years of service
- Captain Tom Gillies – Fire Services Exemplary Service Bar for 30 years of service