FIRST RESPONSE
Funds help families of emergency service workers who lost their lives, as well as victims of crime
A fundraiser Saturday in Truro saw police, re ghters and paramedics show o their gear to children and families, while helping worthy causes.
TRURO, N.S. – The late Skyler Blackie was honoured in Truro through a fundraiser for fallen first responders Saturday.
The Canada’s 911 Ride’s Atlantic mission is raising money for Skyler’s family, as well as two Fredericton police officers who died in the line of duty last year. The ride itself will be June 8- 9 in Cape Breton.
“I loved him,” said Skyler’s younger brother Errison Blackie. “We all loved him and he was a huge part of this department and part of the community. He loved the job – we told each other that every day.”
Saturday’s fundraiser saw police, firefighters and paramedics show off their gear – including Truro Fire Service’s extendable crane truck – to children and families. The Garda World security firm also put one of their armoured trucks on display and guests enjoyed a barbecue.
Bible Hill RCMP and Truro Police Service allowed children to sit in their cars and activate the lights and sirens, while Blackie and his fellow firefighters taught them how to work the hoses.
It was a somewhat poignant moment for Blackie, as his brother did the same thing with children during an open day at their fire hall last year.
“Something I’d want to tell future first responders: be prepared for the job but I promise you, you’ll never regret a day going to work,” said Blackie. “You love it, you look forward to it and it’s really the best job in the world.”
That love was shared by Hope Lewis and her young daughter, Paeton. She recounted how her best friend’s father, a volunteer firefighter, “did not hesitate,” when entering a burning building in Debert.
“This little one wants to be a firefighter, doctor and a police officer when she grows up, so we like to bring her here and hear the sirens and not be scared when she hears them out on the street, or if they come to help her,” said Lewis.
For RCMP officer Lorilee Morash, helping people like Hope and Paeton Lewis is the essence of policing.
“Policing was always a dream of mine since I was a small child,” said Morash. “It’s all I ever wanted to be.”
Money raised by this year’s ride will also assist children who are victims of violent crimes. Organizers want to make public-access defibrillators more readily at hand, as well, in memory of fallen first responders.
For more information, visit http://www.canadas911ride.com/atlantic-ride.html.