Keeping it all in the family
Bradley King has brothers, cousins, friends and a wife who fights fires
Kassina Ryder
Northern News Services
Monday, October 26, 2015
DENINU KU'E/FORT RESOLUTION
For Bradley King, saying his Fort Resolution firefighting team is "like family" takes on a whole new meaning.
Bradley King, a volunteer with the Fort Resolution Fire Department, is the recipient a Fire Service Merit Award this year. King has been serving with the department for the past 18 years. - photo courtesy of Brandi Miersch |
"Our Fort Resolution Fire Department to me isn't just a crew but most are my actual family members," he said.
"I have brother-in-laws, cousins, friends and also my wife that are all part of the volunteer department here and keeping each other safe is one of my main priorities."
King has been serving as a member of the Fort Resolution Fire Department for the past 18 years and was recently selected as the recipient of a Fire Service Merit Award from Robert C. McLeod, minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.
The award is presented every year and recognizes firefighters for their work in their communities, a news release from MACA stated.
King said he was overjoyed to learn that he had been chosen for this year's award.
"It was kind of exciting," he said. "There are mixed emotions. I never really got an award from the fire department before, so yeah, it was a good feeling knowing I was recognized out there."
A lot has changed since King joined the department nearly two decades ago, he said. Some of the most obvious changes have come in the form of the firefighter's equipment.
"We've got two new trucks, we've got all our gear, all our bunker gear and new hoses and first response training," he said.
"We have the jaws of life."
He said while firefighting can be rewarding, the work isn't for the faint of heart.
"You gotta be fit and you gotta be in good shape and determined to do whatever it takes," he said.
Doing whatever it takes not only means helping to fight fires, it also means taking care of the other firefighters in the department, King said.
While he's not sure exactly when he will receive his award, King said he feels grateful to have been selected.
He added having faith is a big part of the job.
"When a call comes in, you really don't have time to think about much," he stated in an e-mail to News/North.
"But the one thing that I always think about isn't so much a thought, but is more of a hope that everyone has gotten out of the fire safely.
