Trevor Pollard, a 24-year veteran of the Clyde Rural Fire Department, is the 2017 recipient of the Glenn Latimer Memorial Community Service Award.
Pollard was presented the award at the annual Fire Appreciation Night for Westlock County’s volunteer firefighters, which was held this year at Jarvie Community Hall April 1.
Glenn Latimer was a long-time Westlock County firefighter who passed away in 2007 and the award was created in his honour to recognize outstanding volunteer firefighters.
Each local department forwards their nomination for the award to the county, and a committee selects the recipient based on a set of criteria.
Pollard is the ninth individual to receive the award and with the exception of 2015, it has been given out each year to a worthy volunteer fire fighter since 2008.
“It’s a great honour to get that award,” said Pollard, in an interview last week.
All 24 years of his career as a volunteer firefighter have been spent with the Clyde department.
When asked how he joined up, Pollard said some of the firefighters who were there before him approached him about joining shortly after he moved to Clyde.
“I’ve been there ever since,” he added.
Pollard said he had known Latimer for many years, even before he had joined the Clyde department.
“Years ago, he would sponsor my demolition cars,” he said, noting Latimer had been with the Pickardville department before he had joined Clyde
Laurie Strutt, county director of planning and community services, said that Pollard has much in common with Latimer.
“He speaks with honesty and integrity and is not afraid to speak out and address difficult situations. He recognizes that in serving a community, there are easily defined jobs, but sometimes necessary and not so much fun details need to be completed. And like Glenn was, (Pollard) is up for doing whatever needs to be done,” she said.
“He may not always belong to a specific committee, but this allowed him to be where he was needed most when a job needed to get done.”
Strutt said Pollard has dedicated many hours to find and create the best working conditions for his fellow firefighters in terms of research and securing resources, safety supplies, transportation and building improvements, along with responding to emergency calls.
As we know, fires can call at any time, and this member diligently answers the call, no matter the time, place, or conditions.
Strutt said the community was “more vibrant and safe” because of Pollard, who also supports his kids during school and extra-curricular activities and had a role in building both the Eleanor Hall School and community playgrounds.
“He knows that everybody loves a parade and although our town is small, our parades demonstrate the size of our hearts and this individual’s dedication helps make our hearts look big.”
Strutt also thanked Pollard’s wife Bev and their daughters Leah and Dana for “sharing him” over the years.
When asked if he had any plans to give up firefighting any time soon, Pollard said, “No, I think I’ll stick around for a few more years. I hope to be, anyway.”
