Thetis Island Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Jeannine Caldbeck is the first-ever female recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Volunteer Fire Services Association.
The award was presented Saturday to Caldbeck, whoB次元官网网址檚 been the Thetis Island fire chief since 2005, by CVFSA president Brian Starkell at the newly-refurbished and expanded Forbes Hall on Thetis.
B次元官网网址淚t was a humbling honour,B次元官网网址� said Caldbeck. B次元官网网址淎s I said at the speeches, people came up and said how they had interacted with me over the years.
B次元官网网址淵ou canB次元官网网址檛 achieve anything in the fire service without the support of a great many people B次元官网网址� firefighters, the fire service in general and the community. It takes the whole community to buy into making everybody safe. ItB次元官网网址檚 everybody who supports the fire department by being safe themselves.B次元官网网址�
It was a fitting time for the presentation leading into Fire Prevention Week Oct. 3-9.
ItB次元官网网址檚 also the first time the award ceremony has been held in the community of the recipient rather than at a large gathering in a major city. To have family, friends and community supporters in attendance was extra special for Caldbeck.
The COVID protocol capacity for guests was reached, with firefighters from other communities also in attendance and many sending their regrets for being unable to attend but expressing well-wishes to Caldbeck by email.
Caldbeck received a beautiful glass vase and roses.
She exhibited her trademark sense of humour previously when first notified of the award and that a film crew would be coming to Thetis in September.
B次元官网网址淎t first when they phoned, it was a total surprise to me,B次元官网网址� Caldbeck said. B次元官网网址淚 said B次元官网网址業B次元官网网址檓 not dead yet.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
She joked during the speeches it felt like a memorial service tribute.
But one of the best parts of being there, Caldbeck added, B次元官网网址淚 got to eat cake.B次元官网网址�
Cake, sandwiches and refreshments were served following the program.
This is the 12th year the CVFSA has conducted a national search to honour CanadaB次元官网网址檚 best volunteer firefighters. It goes to an individual for remarkable achievements in the fire service and community. To be considered, nominees must have been a volunteer firefighter or volunteer-on-call firefighter for at least 20 years.
The nomination process was open for a five-month period. A committee of six volunteers from different regions of Canada reviewed the nominations and selected the winner.
Caldbeck first joined the Thetis Island Volunteer Fire Department in 1996. She became a First Responder instructor and certified as an instructor for Automated External Defibrillator and spinal management in 1998; was appointed fire captain in 2002; became the first woman in B.C. to complete Fire Officer 1 training at the Justice Institute of B.C. and was appointed deputy chief and training instructor of TIVFD in 2003; and elevated to the chiefB次元官网网址檚 post in 2005 that sheB次元官网网址檚 held ever since.
Under CaldbeckB次元官网网址檚 leadership, the department stayed operational in difficult circumstances during major renovations to the fire hall to meet WorkSafe BC standards. The project was completed in 2019.
B次元官网网址淭he TIVFD, under JeannineB次元官网网址檚 leadership has become recognized as one of the most professional and best run departments on Vancouver Island,B次元官网网址� stated the CVFSA in a news release. B次元官网网址淯nder her, the fleet of vehicles has been renewed and expanded to include a command vehicle with rapid response capability. Four of the vehicles were bought in the U.S.A., and Jeannine personally drove them to Thetis Island from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Texas.
B次元官网网址淐hief Caldbeck established an auxiliary to support firefighters with rest and rehab, traffic control, communications and water tendering. Dry hydrants and firefighting water tanks have been established at strategic points around the island.B次元官网网址�
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Retired Cowichan Bay Fire Department member Dave Ferguson is a previous recipient of the award.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 incredible to have two out of the Cowichan Valley out of 12 all across Canada,B次元官网网址� said Caldbeck.
