The presentation of Queen’s Diamond Jubliee Medals and Fire Services Exemplary Service Medals capped off the grand opening of the new Prince Edward Island Firefighters Association (PEIFFA) training facility on Friday evening.
“Congratulations to the Prince Edward Island Firefighters Association and the 1,000 firefighters who now will have enhanced training opportunities at this beautiful new facility,” said Environment, Labour and Justice Minister Janice Sherry. “I am especially pleased that the PEIFFA has chosen to name the new fire school after Miles Boulter in recognition of his many years of dedicated service as chief training officer.”
During the grand opening event, His Honour Frank Lewis, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island presented the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal to seven recipients. Minister Sherry, along with PEIFFA President Tim Jenkins and Chief Training Officer Miles Boulter, presented exemplary service medals and bars, and several training certificates to Island firefighters.
The new fire school is located in the Community of Miltonvale Park, on the newly named Boulter Road. The provincial government contributed $506,300 through the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Capital Construction budget for construction of the facility, and $150,000 through the Island Communities Fund. The PEIFFA provided $160,000 towards the project.
“The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal is pleased to support our firefighters who selflessly volunteer their time to help keep Islanders safe,” said Minister Robert Vessey. “This facility will provide firefighters with improved training and is a significant investment in public safety for Islanders.”
The PEIFFA is the principal training agency for more than 1,000 volunteer firefighters from 36 fire departments across the province. The new facility has administration and classroom space and a three-bay truck area. Programs offered at the school include firefighter level I, technical rescue operations, basic fire investigation and ice rescue. The fire school also provides specialized training for other industries in areas such as confined space and rope rescue.
“It is a great day for the fire service in Prince Edward Island,” said Mr. Jenkins. “Volunteers and the Provincial Government have teamed up to create Boulter Station, and this will go a long way towards ensuring the future safety of Island firefighters and the public. In excess of 1,000 years of volunteer service has also been recognized with today’s awards, which demonstrates the dedication of the individuals that we all count on every day for our safety.”
More information on the PEIFFA fire school and the training provided can be found at www.peiffa.com .
BACKGROUNDER
The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal is a tangible way for Canada to honour Her Majesty for her service to this country. At the same time, it serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians. The following people will be awarded Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medals:
Miles Boulter – O’Leary Fire Chief retired, PEIFFA School Principal, Chief Instructor and PEI FDIC Director
Tim Jenkins – Captain Charlottetown Fire Department, Current President PEIFFA
Rick Niblett – Canadian Armed Forces retired, PEIFFA Deputy, Principal and team leader with the PEI Hazardous Materials Team and school instructor
Bill Hogan – Fire Chief, Charlottetown Fire Department retired, PEIFFA School Administrator, Past President PEIFFA
Greg Shaw – District Chief Charlottetown Fire Department, MFCA 1st Vice President, and former Maritime Fire Chiefs Association PEI Director
David Rossiter – Provincial Fire Marshal, Fire Chief St. Peters Fire Department retired, Past President of the PEIFFA, past director of the Maritime Fire Chiefs Association, past Director Canadian Volunteer Fire Service Association, past director Canadian Association of Fire Chief, and current director Canadian Council of Fire Marshal’s and Fire Commissioners
Lieutenant James O’Connor received a Diamond Jubilee Medal in Ottawa on September 8, 2012.
The Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal is presented to honour members of the fire service who have served for 20 years, 10 years of which have been served in the performance of duties involving potential risks. After a firefighter has been awarded the Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal, and has completed another 10 years of service, he or she is awarded a service bar. An additional bar is awarded for every 10 years of service after the medal has been awarded. The following Service Medals are being awarded (Firefighter, Award, Fire Service):
Albert Vaters, First Bar - 30 years, North River
Jeff Gillis, Medal - 20 years, North River
John MacDonald, Medal - 20 years, North River
Fred Howes, First Bar, North River
Joe MacMillan, Medal - 20 years, North River
Bill Sigsworth, Medal - 20 years, North River
Dave Cahill, First Bar - 30 years, Alberton
Emile Bernard, Medal - 20 years, Alberton
Darrell Graham, Medal - 20 years, Alberton
Tom Murphy, Medal - 20 years, Alberton
Chris Murphy, Medal - 20 years, Alberton
Bill Gillis, First Bar - 30 years, Alberton
Robert Doyle, First Bar - 30 years, East River
Mark Feehan, Medal - 20 years, East River
Brian Jennings, Medal - 20 years, Souris
Colin LaVie, First Bar - 30 years, Souris
Kevin Murphy, Medal - 20 years, Borden-Carleton
Sheldon Myers, First Bar - 30 years, Crapaud
Jim MacIntyre, Medal - 20 years, Cardigan
James Peters, Second Bar - 40 years, Summerside
Brian Morrison, Medal - 20 years, Summerside
Leo Stewart, Medal - 20 years, Summerside
Reg DesRoche, Medal - 20 years, Summerside
Marcel Arsenault, Medal - 20 years, Summerside
Doug Gallant, Medal - 20 years, Summerside
Ian Gallant, Medal - 20 years, North Rustico
Derek Stewart, Medal - 20 years, West Point
Brian Smith, Medal - 20 years, West Point
A Boyles, Medal - 20 years, West Point
Gerard Arsenault, First Bar - 30 years, Wellington
Creston Gillis, Medal - 20 years, Belfast
Donald MacPherson, First Bar - 30 years, Belfast
Wade MacKenzie, First Bar - 30 years, Belfast
Neil Emery, Medal - 20 years, Belfast
Jerry Hughes, Medal - 20 years, Crossroads
Charles Murdock, Medal - 20 years, Crossroads
Donnie Martin, Medal - 20 years, Crossroads
Peter MacDonald, Medal - 20 years, Crossroads
Andrew Rollin, Medal - 20 years, Crossroads
Note – The Charlottetown Fire Department will be presenting their awards at a separate event in the city at a later date.