Winner Announced in the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Memorial Competition

The National Capital Commission (NCC) and the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation (CFFF) announced in September 2010 the winning concept for the construction of the Canadian Firefighters Memorial which will be erected on LeBreton Flats. The team, comprised of artist Douglas Coupland from Vancouver and Mary Tremain, partner at PLANT Architect Inc. from Toronto, won the Canada-wide competition with their concept “We Were There”.

“I wanted the monument to convey deep emotion and simple dignity,” said artist Douglas Coupland. “I want people to eat their lunch there, read, play with their kids — and each time they do so, a small part of themselves will reflect on firefighters and what they do every day when they go to work.”

The new memorial, intended as a national commemoration recognizing firefighters and firefighting from all parts of the country, is to be located on a prominent site owned by the National Capital Commission at LeBreton Flats near the Canadian War Museum. This highly visible site, on Wellington Street at the corner of Lett Street, was prepared in 2009 by the NCC in anticipation of this monument.

Construction will begin in the summer of 2011 and the monument will be unveiled in September 2012.

The CFFF is a registered charity and operates by fundraising. For information regarding the Canadian Firefighters Memorial, please visit: http://www.cfff.ca.


Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
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The Importance of Giving Awards and Recognition at Work

According to studies, employees work better if they are given incentives for good performance. People naturally love to be recognized so it is important that companies and organizations set up an awards giving system to keep its people inspired.

For all your Firefighter Awards needs visit our website at www.fireemporium.com.


Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
Toll Free: 866-832-1468
Fax: 250-769-3588
Email: info@fireemporium.com
Web: http://www.fireemporium.com

Firefighter Monunment designs go on display

Story contributed by www.cbc.ca

Five designs for a monument dedicated to Canadian firefighters who died in the line of duty were displayed to the public for the first time on Thursday, with work from artists including Douglas Coupland, Ken Lum and Myfanwy Macleod.

The finalists in the design competition for the Canadian Firefighters Memorial were unveiled Thursday evening at the National Capital Commission in Ottawa.

Proposals for the monument included designs such as a giant firepole that acts as a lightning rod, protecting a tree and monument underneath; a wave of names of fallen firefighters that flow across like water; and an 11-meter-long, 4¼-metre-high wall of fire.

The monument, expected to be completed and unveiled in March 2012, will be located at LeBreton Flats, near the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. The capital commission donated the land for the monument.

Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation, the charity working to build the monument, says over 1,000 firefighters have died in the line of duty in Canada since 1848.

Read more: Click here for full story from CBC.ca

Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundations Website can be found at www.cfff.ca.


Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
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Alberta's Volunteer Firefighters drifting away as funding shrinks

BY CONAL PIERSE, EDMONTON JOURNAL June 23, 2010

Recruitment numbers and government funding for volunteer fire departments are shrinking, the president of the Alberta Association of Firefighters says.

Alberta's volunteer fire departments receive $500,000 a year, which Cornforth said only covers basic training. He said many firefighters have to raise money to buy equipment. It would be time better spent training, he said, adding volunteers need more support.

"We're just borrowing these people from their families," Cornforth said. "We need to support them with proper training, proper equipment and proper recognition."

Read more: Click here.


Becky Harmata
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Kelowna Fire Chief Stepping Down

Kelowna Fire Chief Stepping Down
by contributed

Chief Rene Blanleil has left the Kelowna Fire Department after 18 years of service. The City of Kelowna and Chief Blanleil mutually agreed this was a good time for a change.

"These decision are never easy", says Charlene Covington, Director of Human Resources. "We wish Rene all the best with his future endeavours.

To read the full story, click here.

Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
Toll Free: 866-832-1468
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Nanaimo Fire Department hires its first professional female firefighter

Nanaimo Fire Department hires its first professional female firefighter
by Krysta Bryce, The Daily News

Julie Wade will become the first profession female firefighter in Nanaimo in 150 years. Wade has been a volunteer firefighter for 3 years and her transition into full time should be seamless.

To read full story click here.

Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
Toll Free: 866-832-1468
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Nanaimo Fire Department hires its first professional female firefighter

Becky HarmataThe Fire EmporiumToll Free: 866-832-1468Fax: 250-769-3588Email: info@fireemporium.comWeb: http://www.fireemporium.com/

Second major fire in Oliver BC in two days

Second Major Fire in Oliver BC in two days

At least 6 people are out of work in Oliver, BC, after the 2nd major in the southern Okanagan town in 2 days.

Flames tore through Oliver Auto Wrecking Salvage just before 10pm Monday night and raged until dawn.

Fire Chief Dave Janzen says the fire was so fierce the building "imploded" in the heat.

He says crews will have to wait until the rubble cools before trying to investigate the cause.

Janzen says the fire does not appear suspicious.

The nearly 100 year old Mesa Hotel in downtown Oliver burned to the ground early Sunday morning, but no one was hurt.

Story courtesay of CTV.ca.

Becky Harmata
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Dedication of Volunteers Rewarded at Town's Firefighter Awards

It was fitting that a call to respond to a fire came in the middle of an evening meant to honour the 132 active volunteer firefighters which make up the Fort Erie Fire Department.

As it turned out, the reported fire at a home on Ott Road was minor and was out by the time firefighters arrived on the scene. It was, however, a perfect demonstration of what the Fort Erie Fire Department is all about.

As a department driven by volunteers, firefighters have missed their fair share of family gatherings, anniversaries and dinners.

“It’s a good department because of the guys,” Deputy Chief Keith German said of the town’s firefighters.

“The guys driving the fire truck are doing all the work.”

It’s that dedication to the job that impresses German and the whole motivation behind the annual recognition night, held April 24 at the Leisureplex Banquet Hall. Awards were handed out to volunteers to recognize years of service ranging from five years right through 42 years.

German was humbled when he was honoured with a trio of service awards, provincial recognition for 25 and 30 years of service and federal honours for 30 years.

The real honours should go to the volunteers, German said. “For them to get to 20 to 30 years of service is phenomenal,” he said.

Time was also set aside at the awards night to remember Chester Wells, former Station 2 chief who passed away in 2003 after a battle with cancer, which came about through hazards Wells faced on duty.
Mayor Doug Martin saluted the volunteers with a touch of humour.

“Four years ago, we were a new council, with an old chief, old and getting older,” Martin said with a nod and a wink to former chief Jim Douglas, who retired in 2009 after 33 years with the department. “Now, we’re an old council with a new chief.”

In a more serious vein, the mayor said the Town will work hard to ensure that its volunteer firefighters have “first class facilities.”

He also praised current chief Larry Coplen and all the volunteers.

“We say when you’re here, you’re in good hands,” Martin said. “That’s exactly what we are in in Fort Erie.”

Coplen, meanwhile, said it was the quality of people that make the department what it is.

“The material things are not all that’s important,” Coplen said. “It’s in the plaques on the trucks honouring 50 years of service. It’s in the photos of retired and deceased fire fighters on the walls at the fire stations.

It often chronicles generations of dedication.”

To see a full list of award recipiants, click here.

Need awards for your Fire Department? Visit us a www.fireemporium.com. We have a wide selection of awards in many different price ranges.


Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
Toll Free: 866-832-1468
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Clearview Firefighters honored for service

Story by Michael Gennings, Simcoe.com

STAYNER - Members of the Clearview Fire Department were presented with service awards last Monday night.

The awards, which come in the form of a certificate, signed by Chief Dave Carruthers and Mayor Ken Ferguson, were handed out at the start of Clearview Township council’s meeting at the municipal office in Stayner.

Chief Dave Carruthers and Capt. Richard Perry were recognized for 30 years’ service.

Firefighter Garry Stamp was honoured for 25 years’ service and firefighter Clarke Richards for 20 years’ service.

Awards for 15 years’ service went to Deputy Chief Bob McKean and firefighters Douglas Long, John Seney, Trent Campbell, David Culham, Lucy Coates-Goorts and Edward Van Severen.

Awards for 10 years’ service went to firefighters Wayne Balon, Andrew Isaac, Christopher Sampson, Katharine Blohm and Richard Millsap.

Firefighters Heath Blount, David Finnigan, Darren Long, Mark Ruzylo, Kevin Spears, Richard Washer, Dave Dyer, Scott Gallacher, Peter Redpath, Scott Santia, Andrew Stymiest and Shawna Wyant were recognized for five years’ service.

Need Firefighter Service Awards for your department? Visit us online at www.fireemporium.com to view our extensive line of Firefighter Awards, Firefighter Plaques and Firefighter Presentation Axes.


Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
Toll Free: 866-832-1468
Fax: 250-769-3588
Email: info@fireemporium.com
Web: http://www.fireemporium.com/