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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - The Fort Simpson Volunteer Fire Department has recognized the service of one of its own.

On Aug. 24 the department held a surprise party for Ernie Loutit who finished 16 years of service with the department this summer.

Fire Chief Pat Rowe, left, presents Ernie Loutit with a painted helmet in recognition of his 16 years of service with the Fort Simpson Volunteer Fire Department. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

"He definitely leaves a hole in the department that will be hard to fill," said Fire Chief Pat Rowe.

Despite enjoying his time with the department, Loutit said he decided to retire because he felt it was time to let younger people take over the role.

The younger members are already doing a great job, he said.

The fact that every fire is different is something Loutit enjoyed about being a firefighter.

"The learning experience never stops," he said.

During the party Rowe presented Loutit with a jacket embellished with the department's logo, his name and his fire number. Loutit was also given a painted helmet that shows a scene of two firefighters battling a fire on one side and a group photo of the department members on the other.

Loutit joined the department in January 1992 as a way to honour his father who was a territorial fire marshal.

"It's in my blood," he said.

He admired the work his father did, so joining the department was a natural step. During his 16 years the department hasn't changed much, said Loutit.

"Same guys, same atmosphere, same great bunch of people," he said.

One thing that has changed is the equipment. When he joined the department, all the members wore fire coveralls. The outfits were worn out and didn't do much to reflect the heat from the fires, said Loutit. New bunker gear was aooreciated when it arrived, he said.

A year after joining the department, Loutit was decorated with the Governor General's Award for Bravery after he saved a man's life by pulling him out of a burning house.

Looking back on his years with the department, Loutit said one of the most memorable fires was in approximately 1994 at A&A Services.

"That was the most explosive place ever," he said.

The fire started in the shop of the gas station in Fort Simpson and the flames blew up oil and aerosol cans stored at the business. It was one of the hottest fires Loutit has been at.

"It was a hard one to put out, that one," he recalled.