By Barbara Maye
Chief Rob Girard and the Revelstoke Fire Rescue Team were joined by Mayor Mark McKee and Councillor Trevor English to offer a hearty hand shake and congratulations to Career Firefighter Jim Blake Wednesday night as he celebrated his 25th year of service at the fire station.
Jim began his career in Revelstoke in 1990 as a Volunteer Firefighter and joined the Career Staff 11 years later. Speeches that brought tears to the eyes of those attending reminded us all of the important work our Firefighters do in this community, and the dedication and commitment it takes to be a long-service hero like Jim.
Mayor McKee presented Jim with the 25-year Long Service Award of British Columbia, including a medal, certificate and congratulatory letter from the Fire Commissioner of BC, Gord Anderson. Both Chief Girard and Randy Driediger, president of the Revelstoke Fire Rescue Society, spoke with pride and admiration about their years working with Jim.
Jim is someone we all look up to for advice, direction, training and support, and Jim gives freely of his knowledge, wisdom and time to those coming up in the ranks. Thank you, Jim, for setting and keeping the bar high in Revelstoke Fire Rescue Services, and for enriching and protecting so many individuals’ lives in this community.
Barbara Maye is the Clerk-Dispatcher for the Revelstoke Fire Rescue Service
