South Frontenac Fire and Rescue retirees, award recipients honoured

In a packed Council Chambers on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020, South Frontenac Council and South Frontenac Fire and Rescue (SFFR) recognized 13 firefighters with the township’s volunteer fire department.

Of the 13 firefighters being honoured, six were celebrated for their retirements, and seven were acknowledged with Exemplary Service Medals. The 13 dedicated firefighters represent a combined 273 years of fire service.

“It is not often that Council Chambers is left without an empty seat,” said Mayor Ron Vandewal of the huge attendance for the event. “South Frontenac is a safer place because of these individuals – Council enjoys having the opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your dedicated service to this community.”

SFFR consists of 110 volunteer firefighters, with eight fire stations throughout South Frontenac Township. The SFFR volunteer firefighters help protect 18,646 residents over 941 square kilometres, volunteering their time to respond to fire calls, medical emergencies, and a variety of other situations that require assistance.

“I can’t say enough when it comes to recognizing SFFR volunteers and fire service personnel in general,” said Fire Chief Darcy Knott. “I speak for all SFFR personnel when I say it has been an honour working with each of our retirees, and I look forward to many more years working alongside our other long service recipients. We have a great compliment of firefighters in South Frontenac, and each of you contribute to the high quality of service that this department provides.”

Council and SFFR recognized the following retiring firefighters for their years of service:

• Captain Brian McCarthy, who began working for SFFR in August of 1980 and has served for 39 years
• Alden McLellan, who began working for SFFR in June of 2011 and has served for eight years
• David Fitzerman, who began working for SFFR in November of 2016 and has served for three years
• Peter Fraser, who began working for SFFR in June of 2009 and has served for 10 years
• Rob Ryan, who began working for SFFR in June of 2011 and has served for eight years
• Allison Oldendorp, who began working for SFFR in September of 2004 and has served for 15 years

SFFR and Council also honoured six firefighters with the Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal, which was created in 1985 to honour members of a recognized Canadian fire service who have completed 20 years of service, 10 years of which have been served in the performance of duties involving potential risks. “Exemplary service is characterized by good conduct, dedication, and efficiency,” according to the Township.

Those firefighters awarded the Exemplary Service Medal are:

• Mark Dermott, who was awarded the Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal for 20 years of service
• Richard Harper, who was awarded the First Bar to the Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal for 30 years of service
• Willian Jones, who was awarded the Second Bar to the Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal for 40 years of service
• Brian McCarthy, who was awarded the First Bar to the Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal for 30 years of service
• Michael Noonan, who was awarded the First Bar to the Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal for 30 years of service
• Kenneth Peters, who was awarded the Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal for 20 years of service
• Michael Stanton, who was awarded the Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal for 20 years of service
• Steven Young, who was awarded the Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal for 20 years of service, as well as the First Bar to the Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal for 30 years of service.

These awards and recognition come just months after SFFR welcomed 24 new firefighters at a graduation for new recruits on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2019.

“Recognizing our long serving volunteers and celebrating new recruits are important elements of building South Frontenac’s fire service,” said Chief Knott. “Our vision is to become a benchmark volunteer fire department, and that cannot happen unless we take the time to honour those who have dedicated their lives to protecting life and property in South Frontenac.”