Volunteer Firefighters of Canada / CVFSA
P.O. Box 1201, Station B Ottawa, ON, Canada

The Canadian Fire Service lost a great instructor on December 30th. The man who was named the recipient of the 2013 CVFSA Lifetime Achievement Award, PEI Chief Instructor Miles Boulter, died. Miles Boulter provided over forty-five years of volunteer community service as a firefighter, Fire Chief, Fire Service Instructor and Chief Instructor of the Prince Edward Island Firefighters Association. Miles’ fire career started with the O’Leary Fire Department in 1972. He became Depu...ty Chief in 1979 and then Chief in 1983. He left the O’Leary Fire Department when he was transferred to Charlottetown in 1986. Recruited by the Prince Edward Island Firefighters Association as Deputy Chief Instructor in 1989, Miles was promoted to Chief Instructor in 1992, a position he held for many years. Rest easy, Chief Boulter, your Brothers and Sisters will take it from here.

The Canadian Fire Service lost a giant on December 22nd. The man who was named the recipient of the 2016 CVFSA Lifetime Achievement Award, Fire Chief Clair W. Prior, died. Clair Prior joined the Irma, Alberta, fire department in 1963 and became Fire Chief in 1967. During his 50 years as Fire Chief, Clair touched the lives of everyone that had the honour of working with him. Rest easy, Chief Prior, your Brothers and Sisters will take it from here. There will be visitation on Wednesday, December 30th between 11:00h and 16:00h at Creech’s Funeral Home.

2020 CVFSA Lifetime Achievement Award The nomination period for the 2020, CVFSA Lifetime Achievement Award closed on May 1st, 2020. This prestigious award was made possible by a partnership between the Canadian Volunteer Fire Services Association and Duracell and their partners. The CVFSA Awards Committee is made up of individuals from different regions of Canada to reflect fairness in any selection of the candidates nominated from across Canada. This is the tenth yea...r that we have accepted submissions and nominations to the, CVFSA Lifetime Achievement Award program. This year’s winner is expected to be announced within days. Many Canadians may not realize it, but in more than 3,500 communities across this nation, emergency fire department services are provided by volunteers who give their time and energy to protect the people and properties of their local communities. This program demonstrates how many dedicated volunteer firefighters and fire officers are providing exemplary service to their communities across this nation. The chairperson of the 2020 CVFSA Awards Committee, which selected the 2020 winner, was Mark Pound from the Kentville, NS. Other members included Joey McElroy, from Carman, MB; Dave Ferguson, Cowichan Bay, BC; and Andrew L. Mitton, New Minas, NS. The award will be presented virtually this year due to COVID-19. This presentation was delayed in hopes that travel restrictions would allow travel for presentation but as we now see this issue does not want to go away. A sincere thank you to Duracell, First Alert and their partners for their support of this prestigious award. This year’s winner is expected to be announced within days.

PE Members of the Borden-Carleton Junior Fire Department just completed their annual food drive. Members are seen here wearing a mask to adhere to the local COVID-19 Guidelines. It is good to see these younger members of the department helping the community. Borden-Carleton is a town in Prince County the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island. It is situated on the south shore fronting on the Northumberland Strait.

The Government of Nova Scotia is making it easier for volunteer firefighters to collect tax credit this year. (due to COVID-19 restrictions)

What a great idea. This added safety measure ensures first responders can quickly and effectively respond to emergencies in the community.

We are currently seeking images depicting life living with COVID-19 in our communities for our website showing how the fire service altered their responses or actions in 2020. If you have an image you would like to share and showcase, your fire department operating differently in a cooperative manner with safety practices in place we would like to share it. With your permission and credit of course, we’d love and appreciate your help in revealing through photos how the Canadian Fire Service adapted. Send your photos to [email protected] with a sentence. Deadline is January 4th.

The CVFSA national board elected a new vice president. They have elected Saskatchewan CVFSA Director, Fire Chief Shayne LaMontagne. Shayne has 26 years in with the Regina Beach Fire Department and is currently their fire chief. Shayne is also in his third term serving on the board of directors for the Saskatchewan Association of Fire Chiefs where he currently holds the office of Vice President. He also has 15 years on Mosaic Belle Plaine emergency response team. On behalf of the national Board and membership we congratulate Shayne on his new challenge.

Fatal training event leads to charges.

The CVFSA national board elected their newest national president. They have elected retired Nipawin Fire Chief Brian Starkell. Brian began his career in 1976 with the volunteer fire service in Codette, SK. He went on to act as the Safety Officer with the Nipawin Fire Department, ultimately accepting the position of Fire Chief for the town in 2010. Chief Starkell formerly served on the Board of Directors of the Saskatchewan Association of Fire Chiefs, and on their Public Educ...ation and Fire Inspector’s Divisions. He also serves as an Instructor for the Saskatchewan Volunteer Fire Fighters Association Fire Training seminars, is an Ambassador of the Canadian Volunteer Fire Services Association and served on their Lifetime Achievement Award selection committee. The 2012 recipient of the prestigious Canadian Volunteer Fire Services Association Lifetime Achievement Award, Chief Starkell has over 43 years of firefighting service. He has also been a long-term volunteer for the Nipawin Lions Club, recently receiving the highest honor in Lions, the Melvin Jones Fellowship for humanitarian service. Chief Starkell has been a Licensed Funeral Director since 1988 and is presently serving with Heritage Funeral Home in Nipawin. He holds memberships with the Funeral and Cremation Services Council of Saskatchewan, and the National Funeral Directors Association, and serves on the Saskatchewan Funeral Service Advisory Committee.

The Village of Salisbury’s, Mayor Terry Keating, awarded Deputy Chief Wayne Kitchen the Municipal Long Service Award medal for 30 years’ service for years at Salisbury Fire Rescue. We extend a sincere congratulations to all three members of Salisbury Fire Rescue for their services.

The Village of Salisbury (population approx. 2000) is located in Southeast NB approximately 25 Km from the city of Moncton. Recently Douglas Hamer was also awarded the, Municipal Long Service Award medal by their Mayor Terry Keating for 47 years’ service for years at Riverview Fire Department and Salisbury Fire Rescue. The medal was presented keeping their physical distance for health considerations.

Congratulations Michelle Vandevord on your appointment as President of AFAC. The CVFSA looks forward to working with you and your team.

The CVFSA would like to congratulate Firefighter Amber W. Barkhouse of Cornwall, Nova Scotia who was awarded the 2020 Don McKee Memorial Scholarship Fund. Amber also won the 2020 James Hayter Memorial Scholarship Fund. Amber is shown second from the left in this photo. Her fire chief, Michael Wilson (1st left) said her father was a 26-year member of the Cornwall & District Fire Department and a member of CVFSA. Amber joined when she became 16 and has served the department sho...wing leadership skills. Present for the award of the scholarships was Martin Bell, CAO for the CVFSA (3rd from left) and Ryan Stacey of Metalfab Fire Trucks of Centreville, NB. Metalfab Fire Trucks has supported the JHM Scholarship for the past three years. Amber will be attending the Shelburne campus of the Nova Scotia Community College in September to take the, Oceans Resources - Fisheries and Aquaculture course. This will be the first year of a two- or three-year course of study as her goal is to become a Conservation Enforcement Officer. Photo credits to Julie Naas.

Congratulations Fire Chief Stamp and Enoch Fire Rescue on the delivery of your new 2020 Engine from Acres Emergency Vehicle’s. Acres Emergency Vehicle’s is the official Fire Engine of the CVFSA. Looks fantastic guys!... #cvfsa #firefighter #Enoch #acresev

Dates are set! Northern Trek 2020 set to commence AUGUST 25. Still looking for leg sponsors. Message for info! Looking forward to run with the logistical support from Town of High Level and Mackenzie County

https://www.albernivalleynews.com//vancouver-island-firef/

The Foundation's President announces changes to the 2020 ceremony. Our website will be updated shortly with additional information.

These medals were earned by the rightful owner. However, someone stole them. We would love to see the rightful owner wear them again.

Members of the Rankin Inlet Fire Department began spreading a little joy among kids forced to skip their birthday party due to the Covid-19 pandemic this past month and some Elders too. Rankin Fire Chief Mark Wyatt got the idea for the drive-by birthday visits from departments in the south he saw that had launched the initiative. The Rankin department is doing the drive-by birthday visits for children age 12 and younger and elders over 75. Rankin Inlet, Nunavut have zero Covid cases but are following all the rules of Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam. We are all in this together.

With the heaviest of hearts The St.Martins and Upham Fire Department came together to support our Neighbours across the Bay Of Fundy.

National Day of Mourning The National Day of Mourning is not only a day to remember and honour those lives lost or injured due to a workplace tragedy, but also a day to collectively renew our commitment to improve health and safety in the workplace and prevent further injuries, illnesses and deaths. Traditionally on April 28th the Canadian flag has flown at half-mast on Parliament Hill and on all federal government buildings. Employers and workers have observed Day of Mourni...ng in a variety of ways over the years. Some have lit candles, laid wreaths, worn commemorative pins, ribbons or black armbands, and paused for a moment of silence. In light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic we encourage organizations, communities, and individuals to practice physical distancing and consider holding or supporting a virtual event, or simply pause at 11:00 am on April 28 for a moment of silence.

Check out this great online program put together by Daryl Black. https://ddb.mykajabi.com/ltcos

From coast to coast we are all Nova Scotia STRONG!!!! From your friends in Comox, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. #togetherwearestronger

Our station flags will stay flown at half-mast for the remainder of the week. Our thoughts are with all affected by the tragedy in Nova Scotia this past weekend.

Brothers & Sisters - Calgary

For those in Ontario wishing to send condolences to No a Scotia, this is a great project to be a part of...

It has been a very difficult day for Nova Scotia. Our heartfelt thoughts, prayers and condolences to the RCMP family, the broader law enforcement, and first responder community, and to all of the families that have been impacted by today’s tragic circumstances.

Dear Members, Sponsors and Partners. The office of the Association (CVFSA) will not be occupied at the normal hours per week during the rest of April. We will be checking emails but acknowledgements may not be sent out within the normal timelines. Directors and ambassadors of the CVFSA will refrain from all public gatherings in the name of the Association. This includes, but is not limited to MLSA medal presentations, trade shows, public fundraisers and other events where the Association would normally attend. As an Association of first responders, we urge all Canadians to follow the measures set down by their respective governmental bodies and together we can all beat this.

An important note from the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation.