At a Lake Country Fire Department recognition event, Lieutenant Michael Gesi was presented with a BC Long Service Award.
Gesi started his career in firefighting with the Township of Langley, where he was a paid-on-call firefighter for 20 years. He has spent the past five years as a paid-on-call firefighter in Lake Country.
The District of Lake Country’s chief administrative officer Alberto De Feo presented Gesi with a B.C. Long Service Award medal and certificate, while Fire Chief Steve Windsor described the dedication and selflessness with which Gesi has served his community and this province in the protection of life and property.
British Columbia Long Service Medals are awarded by the provincial government to persons who have completed at least 25 years of paid or volunteer fire service in British Columbia.
“The dedication shown by all members of the Lake Country Fire Department should be recognized,” said Lake Country Mayor James Baker at the Nov. 29 event held at Ex Nihilo Vineyards. “They are the first responders providing assistance to those at risk due to fire, motor vehicle accident, medical emergency, not to mention ice, open water and cliff rescue. We appreciate them very much.”
At the same event, various awards were presented to recognize honourary members with 10 or more years of service, five years of service, and completion of the first year of service. New recruits were acknowledged, and firefighters with the best attendance to emergency call outs and practices for each of the stations in Winfield—Karl Featherstone, Oyama—Jim Thomson and Carr’s Landing—Shaun Reed), were recognized.
Firefighters of the Year
A firefighter of the year award was presented to one member of each station as recognition from their peers for service above and beyond the normal call of duty:
• Glen Gregory – Station 71
• Brian Toering – Station 81
• Ryan Murdain – Station 91.
Team leader Eric DeGelder, acknowledged nine instructors for the high school Junior Firefighter program for their significant volunteer commitment.
Fire Prevention Program team leaders Cory Drinkwater and Tim Kim recognized members for volunteering to offer the Safety, Awareness & Fire Education (SAFE) Program to every Grade 3 student in Lake Country, along with other school and community events to raise awareness of fire prevention practices.1