Firefighter of the Year

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Pontiac Ouest Fire Safety Service members with Chief Glynn Fleury (centre); retiring firefighter André Chartrand (left of Fleury); and Firefighter of the Year, Mike Wood (right of Fleury).

Peter L. Smith

L’Isle-aux-Allumettes – The annual Pontiac Ouest Fire Safety Service awards dinner, held December 1 at Harrington Community Centre, paid tribute to members of the department, which serves L’Isle-aux-Alllumettes, Chichester and Sheenboro. About 90 people attended the full course turkey supper, served by local caterer Bread of Life from L’Isle-aux-Allumettes.

Donald Gagnon, a 35 year member of the department, paid tribute to the late Robert (Bobby) Picard who served as fire chief for Chichester from 1987-1995.

Fire Chief Glynn Fleury presented Mike Wood with a plaque as Firefighter of Year for 2023. He also presented retiring firefighter André Chartrand with a plaque for 17 years of service.

Fleury also presented pins to: Donald Gagnon and Gary Gagnon for 35 years service; Leo Mainville, 30 years; Tim Sullivan, 25 years; Stewart Adam, Richard Martin, Shawn Martin and Glynn Fleury for 15 years; Dan Fleury, 10 years; and Ian Payne, Mike Wood, Tyler Keon, Scott Kelly, and Paul Gagnon for 5 years.

Certificates were given to 8 pumper operator graduates (Mike Wood, Ian Payne, Brooke Demond, Marie-Eve Couture, Noah Vaillancourt, Tyler Keon and Matt Allard) and ten Firefighter One graduates (Alex Souliere, Lucas Mulligan, Noah Vaillancourt, Mike Wood, Matt Allard, Marie-Eve Couture, Brooke Demond, Ryan Venasse, Marcos Garcia and Maria Garcia).

Two new recruits joined the department: Ryan Stickler and Pat LaRochelle. They are waiting for a new course to begin.

Fleury outlined goals for 2024, which included conducting home inspections for fire safety.