New recruits to the Wellesley Fire Department were rubbing shoulders with the township’s veterans during the firefighter recognition ceremony Monday night in council chambers.
Twelve of the 13 new firefighters now serving at stations in Wellesley, Linwood and St. Clements were present, as were five of the six longtime firefighters who were honoured for their years of service.
“We will recognize our new recruits and, for the first time in Wellesley Township, we have a number of certified firefighters,” said township fire chief Andrew Lillico before calling recipients up to the front of the room.
After congratulating the young recruits, Lillico called on Larry Bisch of Wellesley station and Capt. Darryl Green of St. Clements station to receive medals for 20 years of service.
“We’re lucky if we get five or six years because people and the demographics change so much in the community. For you guys to serve 20 years, that a pretty long service and we’re proud to have you. The Maltese Cross is the symbol on this medal and it represents gallantry, loyalty, dexterity, observation, tact and sympathy: wear these medals proudly, you’ve earned them,” Lillico said.
St. Clements district chief Dennis Ertel and firefighter David Futher received medals for 25 years of service back in June but were also honoured at the ceremony.
The last honouree of the night was Capt. Mike Nissen of St. Clements station, who is soon to retire after more than 35 years of service as a firefighter. He was presented with a red firefighter’s helmet and a bar from the province – a stripe worn on a formal uniform to represent his 35 years of service.
“Although the Fire Marshal’s office doesn’t have a formal presentation for this I think they should recognize it: it’s a significant milestone,” Lillico said of Nissen. “Mike has served on the fire advisory committee … there’s sometimes hard decisions to make. We can’t always be popular in all of the choices we make. It’s a leadership role and you’ve done a great job,” Lillico added.
Graduates of the Ontario Fire College volunteer fire course module A received their certificates in the presence of their families and Wellesley council members.
The Module A course teaches a number of skills necessary for the job in the categories of search and rescue, ladders, ventilation, firefighter survival, firefighter safety and key components of chemistry and combustion among other skills. Six out of the group received a second certificate for completing Module B; additional training in key aspects of module A as well as areas of communications.
Linwood firefighter Catherine Steckley was also presented with a certificate after successfully completing the pre-service firefighter education and training program offered at Conestoga College. The 912-hour program reflects standards established by the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs and provides students in the program with entry-level knowledge for becoming firefighters through a series of in-class labs and field experience.
