Firefighter honoured for safety contribution
Fort Simpson volunteer one of the recipients of this year's NWT Fire Service Merit Awards
Jeanne Gagnon
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, October 17, 2013
LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
A Fort Simpson volunteer firefighter is one of the recipients of this year's NWT Fire Service Merit Awards.
Scott Whitmore, a lieutenant with the Fort Simpson Volunteer Fire Department, received the NWT Fire Service Award for his contribution to fire safety as part of National Fire Prevention Week. - Jeanne Gagnon/NNSL photo
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Scott Whitmore, a lieutenant with the Fort Simpson Volunteer Fire Department, is being acknowledged for the work he has done in the four years he has been with the department. Whitmore moved to the community from Hamilton, Ont. in 2009 and joined the fire department that year.
The award is not about a person doing anything better than anyone else, Whitmore said, but rather it's the community recognizing the work either an individual or a whole department is doing.
"It feels nice to be appreciated because a lot of the time, in the volunteer department, it's hard for people to show their appreciation and you don't necessarily receive that many thanks," said Whitmore.
"Often, you're in an emergency situation and people have other things on their mind besides thanking the person who is there to help them."
He was notified earlier this month that he would receive the recognition, but the official award presentation date is still undetermined.
The awards are based on nominations from members of the community and fire chief. Whomever nominated him must have thought he was worthy of it, Whitmore said.
"It definitely means something to me to receive it, but I also know, as being part of the department, there are many individuals on the department who do just as much, if not more, than I do," he said.
"So, I definitely appreciate the award, but it could have gone to any number of people on the department."
The other recipients of this year's award are the Yellowknife Fire Department and the Hay River Fire Department. Robert C. McLeod, the territorial minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, announced the recipients during National Fire Prevention Week, held this year from Oct. 6 to 12.
"The dedication of both paid and volunteer firefighters is something we should recognize because it benefits all of us," he stated in a press release.
