One of the benefits of being a firefighter is the close-knit family you become a part of as soon as you turn on that pager.

This week the local firefighting community lost a member of their family when Malahat Fire Chief Rob Patterson suddenly passed away on Monday, leaving big boots to fill.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a huge loss for the Malahat area and the B.C. Fire Service,B次元官网网址� said Langford Fire Chief Bob Beckett, who has gotten to know Patterson over the years through their departmentsB次元官网网址� mutual aid agreements and the Fire ChiefsB次元官网网址� Association of British Columbia. B次元官网网址淛ust last week we were at a house fire with them,B次元官网网址� Beckett said, adding PattersonB次元官网网址檚 death is a tragedy and came far too early.

But Patterson died doing what he loved to do and that was helping people. He was off duty Monday, riding an ATV to help someone who was stuck in the snow when he suffered from a medical emergency.

B次元官网网址淭his was him on his own time,B次元官网网址� said Conrad Cowan, the Cowichan Valley Regional District public safety manager. B次元官网网址淗e was out helping someone.B次元官网网址�

The exact cause of PattersonB次元官网网址檚 death had not been released at the time of this writing, but first responders from his own department answered the medical emergency call involving the chief.

Beckett added, B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檇 like to recognize everyone that responded B次元官网网址� and extend our thanks to B.C. paramedics who were on scene.B次元官网网址�

Patterson, 53, dedicated more than 19 years of service to the Malahat department. While technically his boss, Cowan considered Patterson a friend and the two spent a lot of time working closely together.

Known as an advocate for road safety and fire prevention, Patterson was a vocal campaigner for increased safety measures along the Malahat portion of the Trans-Canada Highway.

B次元官网网址淚 always smiled when I heard Rob on the radio or television B次元官网网址� I know heB次元官网网址檚 made a very positive impact on public safety in our community,B次元官网网址� Cowan said, adding Patterson didnB次元官网网址檛 just make the roads safer for local residents but also those traveling through the community. B次元官网网址淚 believe his message for road safety will continue B次元官网网址� WeB次元官网网址檙e here to support his family and his legacy.B次元官网网址�

Patterson was also on the executive board of the Fire ChiefsB次元官网网址� Association of British Columbia and was a local assistant to the Fire Commissioners Office.

B次元官网网址�(But) thereB次元官网网址檚 a lot more behind Rob that will be truly missed,B次元官网网址� Beckett said, adding he was always quick to recognize and thank his volunteers for their efforts.

Fighting fires and all of the other responsibilities that go along with it was truly a family affair at the Malahat Volunteer Fire Department. PattersonB次元官网网址檚 wife, Tanya, is deputy chief and both of their sons, Cameron and Nick, have served as volunteer firefighters. As the family and the department try to come to terms with their loss, Beckett noted local departments from the West Shore and the Cowichan Valley will be stepping up to help. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e all offered whatever assistance we can.B次元官网网址�

was set up by family friend Cody Tetley to help the Patterson family with a memorial and other related costs. Tetley wrote: B次元官网网址淩ob Patterson was a father and husband. Most knew him as Chief of the Malahat Volunteer Fire Department. He has always been heavily involved in the hall and community. Always being there to lend a hand to anyone that needed it.B次元官网网址�

katie@goldstreamgazette.com