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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - The years of service given by members of the Fort Simpson Fire Department were acknowledged during a ceremony held on Jan. 10.

Members of the department were invited to the fire hall on Saturday night for an event that was billed as a grand opening for the building. The primary purpose of the gathering, however, was to surprise the firefighters with service awards.

MLA Kevin Menicoche, left, congratulates Troy Hardisty in recognition of his five years of service with the Fort Simpson Fire Department. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Tyrone Larkin, assistant fire marshal for the Deh Cho, and MLA Kevin Menicoche presented the medals.

"I'm proud of all of you for the job you do in Fort Simpson," Menicoche said.

Awards were given to 15 current and former members of the department with years of service from five to 25.

Menicoche complimented the department on the completed addition to the fire hall. The building is a significant piece of infrastructure for the protection of the community, he said.

The fire hall has come a long way, said Fire Chief Pat Rowe, who was recognized for 25 years of service.

"I think it's what the people of Fort Simpson deserve," said Rowe, about the hall.

The village is unlikely to ever outgrow the size of the expanded hall, he said.

The department has plans for utilizing the new space. The village is expected to purchase a new pumper truck in 2010. The department is also looking to obtain a heavy rescue unit vehicle that could transport all the equipment needed for responding to vehicle crashes.

Apart from the equipment, the department also has a strong team of 15 active members, said Rowe.

"The group we have are always asking for more training," he said.

Having a fire chief with as many years of experience as Rowe has is one of the department's assets, said Roger Pilling, deputy fire chief.

"It's very important. Everyone has so much respect for him," Pilling said.

Rowe has experience most of the other members don't. When Pilling joined the department in 1989 the village averaged a death a year from fires. Now there's barely a fire a year, so new members haven't dealt with such situations.

Rowe thinks and works well under emergency situations whether they involve fires or ambulance calls, Pilling said.

"He's so cool under fire, literally," said Pilling.

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Award recipients:

Two year pin:

Scott Cameron

Kim Schlosser

Troy Searson

Michael Blyth

Brian Harold

Five year pin:

Wayne Boutilier

Darren Hazenberg

Lee Scobie

Troy Hardisty

10 year pin/ medal:

Brian Jaffery (retired)

Ernie Loutit (retired)

15 year pin/medal:

Roger Pilling

Kirby Groat (retired)

20 year pin/medal:

Gerry Wright (retired)

25 year medal:

Pat Rowe