It was a night dedicated to some of Westlock County’s finest.
On Saturday, April 16, firefighters from each of the county’s departments, along with the Clyde department, gathered at the Busby Community Hall for the annual firefighters appreciation night.
The event serves as a chance to thank volunteer members for their commitment, dedication and service, but also an opportunity to hand out hardware.
Among the awards presented was the Glenn Latimer award, which recognizes members that go above and beyond the call of duty.
The accolade was created to honour the memory of Latimer, a long-time firefighter, who was a role model within the community, said Westlock County fire chief John Biro.
“Glenn Latimer was a legend throughout the county, and still his name is brought up by many residents,” Biro said.
“Glenn was a man that never said no, strived to make it a better place, when we were sleeping … he was out doing things, he was just phenomenal, everything he did.”
Busby Fire Department chief, Jared Stitsen, was selected as this year’s recipient. As per tradition, his fellow department members nominated him.
“Members from the departments are to write letters recognizing who they feel goes above and beyond just fighting fires, who supports the communities with events and doing community work,” Biro said.
“It’s not just being a firefighter, it’s being a special person.”
Biro said Stitsen is more than deserving of the recognition.
“He’s always open, he always wants to be helpful, never says no and a very caring person for his department, as well as anyone else throughout the county.
“He’s a community-oriented person, whether it be the fire service, or just somebody that needs help around Busby.
“We’re very pleased he was nominated, it wasn’t a mistake, for sure. He definitely owned it and should have been recognized.”
Stitsen, who was also honoured with a 10-year service award, was humbled.
“It was a big surprise,” Stitsen said. “Knowing Glenn Latimer, I knew him on and off the field … it’s a real honour to be associated.”
While Stitsen’s name might be on the award, the Busby chief said it’s one he wants to share with his department and every firefighter in Westlock County.
“I don’t even thing the award is for one person, it’s for the fire service in Westlock County as a whole, it’s all of us doing what Glenn was doing,” he said.
“I think that’s the real important part.”
Latimer’s daughter Charlene Buist, who presented the award to Stitsen alongside Latimer’s grandsons William Latimer and Daniel Buist, said her family is pleased that the county continues to recognize firefighters like her father.
“It’s an honour because the one important thing in my father’s volunteering was that kids learned fire safety,” Buist said.
“He went above and beyond fighting with the fighters. The main thing was the trailer to teach kids fore safety.
“I’m very honoured it’s still going.”
Westlock Rural Department’s Drew Beattie was awarded the 12-year Emergency Service Award presented by MLA Glenn van Dijken.
Five-year service awards were handed out to Todd Terrault, Travis Boissonnault and Don Borle. Ten-year service awards went to Jared Stitsen, Dan Strome and Ken Moon, while Beattie and Francis Cloutier were honoured for 15 years.
