Middleton fire calls up by 20 per cent in 2016
Thompson, Robertson, Truck #31 crew get top honours at annual banquet
Members of the Middleton Fire Department had a busy year in 2016.
Fire Chief Mike Toole told folks gathered at the department’s annual banquet April 22 that calls for the year total 104 – up from an average of about 80 other years. But half of the calls were confined to just three categories – 22 vehicle accidents, 19 structure fires, and 11 wildland fires.
Nova Scotia’s Premier Stephen Mcneil spoke at the banquet and thanked firefighters for their efforts. So did West Nova Member of Parliament Colin Fraser, Annapolis County Deputy Warden Martha Roberts, and Middleton Mayor Sylvester Atkinson.
Efforts of firefighters were also rewarded with several awards.
Longtime firefighter John Thompson was named Firefighter of the Year, and Captain Darcy Robertson was presented with the Officer of the Year award.
Roberston’s truck #31 crew was named Crew of the Year. Besides Robertson the crew consists of Richard Banks, Jordan Delong, Donald Hiltz, Melissa Robertson, Ross Acker, Lorne Brown, Danial Foley, Justin Macneil, and Reg Smith.
Captain Jody Spidle was presented with his 15-year service award, and Chris Barker received his 35-year certificate and bar. Barker should have received the recognition four years ago when he was the chief.
Firefighter Lisa Moore, who was unable to attend, will also receive her 15-year service award.
Six new members of the Middleton Fire Department were introduced to the crowd. They are Dustin Macneil, Patrick Dornan, George Freestone, Adam Tkaczuk, Jason Warrington, and Patrick Redwood.
Dianne Penney was the recipient of the Dean Brown Memorial Award presented by Ron Brown and Lorne Brown. The plaque is inscribed: “Given in memory to the individual who has shown outstanding commitment to the Middleton Fire Department.”
Chief Toole said firefighters spent a combined total of 1,812.45 hours responding to calls with incidents averaging 1.7 hours in duration. They spent more than double that time in training with a total of 4,996.45 hours doing Wednesday night training, meetings, and truck inspections.
The chief also reported on equipment purchases that included four Scott Air Packs worth $53,000. The province helped pay for those with $20,000 from the Emergency Provider Fund. The Town of Middleton chipped in another $20,000, and Annapolis County paid the remaining $13,000.
The department also purchased some Holmatro Rescue Gear consisting of a pump, hose, and hydraulic spreader for use in extrications from vehicles. That equipment cost $11,500. Scotiabank paid $5,000, the Rotary Club of Middleton paid $4,000, and the rest was paid for by the department and Fireflies.
The department also presented framed certificates to members of the Fireflies with Premier Mcneil and MP Fraser presenting certificates. Fireflies honoured were Carolyn Crawford (38 years), honourary member Gloria Robar (32 years), Bonnie Johnson (26 years), Barb Prout (25 years), Cathy Mailman (18 years), Dianne Penney (16 years), Sylvester Atkinson (15 years), Marg Mccoubrey (11 years), Cecil Demolitor (nine years), Gayle Armstrong (nine years), Mary Mcburney (seven years), Doreen Cross (five years), Marg Tracey (five years), Rhonda Parker (three years), Atsuko Poirier (two years), Daniel Poirier (two years), Marg Wagner (two years), Lynn Trotter (two years), Marilyn Crooks (one year), and Susan Fitzgerald (one year).
Also on hand at the banquet were representatives from other fire departments, the Rotary Club’s Gerald Heisler, and Scotiabank’s Christine Beck. Members of Middleton’s town council were also at the event, and town CAO Rachel Turner.