Lifetime achievement
Martin Bell receives prestigious award from Canadian Volunteer Fire Services Association
At its annual conference in Wolfville recently, the Canadian Volunteer Fire Services Association (CVFSA) presented its 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award to Conquerall Bank resident Martin Bell.
The coveted national award honours an individual whose remarkable achievements in the fire service and community exemplify outstanding performance.
The Canada-wide selection committee, through an exhaustive process of national nomination and adjudication, reviewed a record number of submissions, then voted unanimously to select Bell.
Bell joined the Conquerall Bank Fire Department in 1973, rising through the ranks over the years to become chief, a position he held with pride, dedication and commitment for 15 years.
CVFSA past president Graham Pawlett commented in a news release that his organization is “deeply proud of Bell and the many contributions he has made during his years of service.”
“This year marks our association’s 20th anniversary. Chief Bell is a charter member, so we are thrilled he was selected as this year’s recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Pawlett.
Incoming CVFSA president Troy Mutch was equally praiseful of Bell’s accomplishments.
“A volunteer instructor at the Nova Scotia Firefighters School for five years, Martin encouraged firefighters at the school and at his fire department to set high goals for themselves,” said Mutch.
“One of Martin’s personal goals was to build a new fire hall, including community hall, and buy new fire apparatus, which was accomplished,” Mutch added during his award presentation commentary.
Mutch said Bell, who was also a skilled and caring paramedic, trained a medical first responder team, then purchased a secondhand ambulance.
“The Conquerall Bank Fire Department was one of the first fire departments in the province to offer medical first response service outside of Halifax and Dartmouth,” he said.
Bell also served for six years on the board of the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
Elder Lorraine Whitman, representing the Glooscap Mi’kmaq First Nation Community, addressed the audience, recited a respectful traditional prayer, sang a soulful song and played the drum.
Municipality of the District of Lunenburg Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-getson – along with Councillor and former Bridgewater Fire Chief Reid Whynot – attended the Aug. 17 award presentation.
“I can say with pride that Martin is a worthy recipient of this award. He has performed his duties with honour and integrity,” said Bolivar-getson during an interview just prior to the presentation.
“Martin has 46 years of dedicated and exemplary service to the fire service locally, provincially and nationally. His impact has been immeasurable,” she said, during her remarks at the podium.
Bolivar-getson added that Bell has been a municipal councillor for 20 years, representing the communities of Conquerall Bank, Pleasantville, West Lahave, New Cumberland, Mount Pleasant, Lake Center, Conquerall Mills and part of Hebbville, He served as deputy mayor twice.
During his acceptance speech, Bell, in his customary humble fashion, was quick to deflect the attention he so richly deserved onto others.
“This award belongs to the teams of individuals that I have worked with over the years. Each of those volunteers gave freely of their time, and time has great value,” said Bell.
“I know I am not a subjectmatter professional in all areas, so I reach out for help from those who are professional, and can contribute to the team. I have always been respectful of them,” he said.
Bell said he was raised in a family whose members believed that one gives back to their community, and he learned early on that leaders must possess teaching abilities and a keen sense of humour.
He also touched on leadership, a key accountability component in the rank-structured fire service.
“Demonstrate leadership by action, and allow your team to fly. Never restrict others when they become better than you. A project was never just mine, it was always a team project,” said Bell.
Reflecting on his 44 years with the rural Conquerall Bank Fire Department, Bell said he became a translator, not in languages, but in human behaviour, understanding and bridging the different ways of doing things.
“In the beginning, the older guys didn’t like us younger guys, especially if we told them there was a different way to tackle tasks other than the way they were already doing them,” said Bell.
“It took time but I gradually learned the different ‘languages’ and we began to work as a team and that’s when we really began to shine,” he added.
Bell also acknowledged the support given him by his wife of 41 years, Cheryl, and their three grown children, Anthony, Andrew and Genoa. “They supported me and allowed me to follow my passion,”
The CVFSA is the only national association whose sole purpose is to represent volunteer fire and emergency first responders, and volunteer emergency medical services personnel.