Back Row (L to R): Fire Chief Tim Harris, Jesse Kasouf (PRFD), Zach Krahn (WFD), Drew Keddie (PRFD/WFD), Laura Hanna (WFD), Patrick Connellan (PRFD) and Mark Owens (PRFD). Front Row (L to R): Aiden Archibald (WFD), Stephanie Amor (PRFD) and Tim Berger (WFD).
The Peace River and County of Northern Lights Fire Departments held their Annual Awards Night on December 14 in Peace River.
Fire Chief Tim Harris handed out nine awards to members, and Mark Owens, Peace River Firefighters Association President, gave out the President’s Award.
“The awards recognize the achievements 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 ARE:
Attendance Awards
Junior Firefighter Aiden Archibald (Weberville Fire Dept.)
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.
Fire Chief Tim 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,” said Chief Harris. “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
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