Three members of the local fire department were recently honoured for their many years of service with the Churchbridge Fire Rescue.
Fire Chief Kevin Eskra was able to present Brandon Eskra with his 20-year exemplary service medal, Jim Gallant for over 30-years of service and Dianne Berg with over 30-years of service.
Jim Gallant and Dianne Berg received their 30 year Bar. The exemplary service Bar is presented every 10 years after 20 years of service is reached, and it is sent from the Lieutenant Governor of Canada. Chief Kevin Eskra explained the Bar as an extension of the service recognition medal.
Jim Gallant was once a Department Captain and also the Deputy Chief during his tenure. He is still on the roster, but he is not currently active.
Kevin spoke about Gallant being involved with the department, fulfilling many different roles and giving much of his time to volunteering.
Diane Berg received her 30 year Bar for her work with the service. She and three others were the first females to join the Churchbridge Fire Rescue Department. The fire chief spoke about the group of women that were invited to join in 1993, and now Dianne has 31 years of experience with the firefighting service.
Chief Eskra explained the important role of females joining the fire department back then, and he added that it is still very important today.
Diane has been the treasurer for the fire department for nearly the entire 31 years she has been involved.
Brandon Eskra was honoured with his 20-year exemplary service medal. He was the very first junior firefighter at the Churchbridge department, with many more junior firefighters following in his footsteps over the years.
Kevin said, “He had an interest long before that because he would always go down to the fire hall with me and he would hang out while I was doing work. He loved being there”.
Brandon achieved the level of Captain. The Churchbridge Fire Rescue Chief said, “He was very influential in doing research and implemented a lot of the stuff that we do nowadays. He is an intermediate care paramedic and has skills in that area as well”.
Speaking about the fire department in general, Chief Kevin Eskra said, “We are a very progressive department. We’re always looking at ways to improve. We have several programs like rope rescue and water rescue. We host sessions for fire schools here and we host training sessions. When we do something unique, we invite other departments to join that are close to us, especially the ones that we have mutual aid with”.
Kevin Eskra, a veteran firefighter who began his career in 1987, thanked those who support the department. He highlighted the Town of Churchbridge and the R.M. of Churchbridge who “have always been very supportive of us. We’ve progressed because of their support”.
“Local organizations have also donated over the years and are very supportive. We appreciate them.”