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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Fort Simpson's new fire chief has been honoured with a prestigious medal.

Pat Rowe, left, and Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche, right, present Fort Simpson volunteer Fire Chief Roger Pilling with the Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal. The medal was awarded during a firefighter recognition reception on Saturday. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Roger Pilling was presented with the Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal during the firefighter recognition reception in the village on Saturday. The medal, which is awarded by the Governor General of Canada, honours 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, for the purpose of the award, is characterized by good conduct, industry and efficiency.

"There's no one else in Canada more deserving than him," said Pat Rowe, the village's former fire chief, referring to Pilling. "He's the epitome of that award."

Speaking to the people at the reception, Pilling said he was totally shocked to be receiving the award.

"I had no idea at all," he said.

Pilling has been a member of the volunteer fire department for 23 years. He joined in January 1989 during a serious house fire. Pilling said he could see the fire trucks at the scene of the fire from the Manor, where he was living at the time, and knew that the department could use some assistance.

"I thought I better go help," he said.

Six months later Rowe made Pilling the department's training officer. At the time, Rowe said, the best way to learn is to teach, said Pilling.

As positions came open, Pilling continued to advance in the department, becoming a captain in 1993 when Rowe became the fire chief and then the deputy fire chief in approximately 2008. Most recently, Pilling became the fire chief after Rowe retired on April 1.

Pilling said it is the people in the department that keep him volunteering, as well as the knowledge that the people in the community need them.

Pilling is a mentor for every firefighter in Fort Simpson, said Rowe. He brings a calmness to everyone in the department when they are facing a fire, Rowe said.

Rowe's contributions to the department were also recognized during the reception. Pilling recounted some of the key dates in Rowe's career.

Rowe joined the department on April 1, 1983. At the time, the fire hall was much smaller than it is now and the department only had two self-contained breathing apparatuses, only one of which worked.

"We were good at holding our breath for quite some time," Pilling joked.

Despite the lack of equipment, serious fires kept the department busy. The village had an average of one fire-related death a year for approximately 10 years in the late 1980s and early 1990s, said Pilling.

Department developed rapidly

The department developed rapidly, getting more breathing units and training. In 1999 Rowe was one of 20 people from across the North who formed a core team that took the standard for professional fire fighters as well as the international fire service instructor training.

"That took a huge amount of his time," Pilling said.

The department was already busy but in 1998 it also started offering ambulance services. The department now averages 150 to 200 ambulance calls a year.

"It has been a huge commitment," he said.

Exemplary Services Medal

Rowe also received the Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal in 2005. Since retiring Rowe has committed to remaining an active firefighter in a mentorship role for at least one year.

"He's been a wealth of knowledge and we appreciate working under him," Pilling said.

A number of other firefighters were also recognized during the reception. Three firefighters received the Office of the Fire Marshal years of service pins. Scott Cameron received a pin for five years while Scott Whitmore and Lionel Nadia were both recognized for two years of service.

Service plaques were also given to retired members including Laurie Ozmun, Lee Scobie and Darren Hazenberg.

"It was very nice that so many people came out to acknowledge the contribution that our volunteers make to the community of Fort Simpson," said Ozmun. "However, it was disappointing that not a single village council member was present."

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