ASSINIBOIA — The Firefighters’ Ball, a celebratory event that was once held annually to honour and recognize the team at Assiniboia Fire and Rescue, resumed for the first time since COVID-19 erupted.
The Prince of Wales Cultural Centre was the location for this gala event held March 29. Fire Chief Terry Lacelle says attendance was just over 120 people and included a sit-down supper, program, silent auction and live music by the band, Rock Candy.
“As master of ceremonies for the evening, Sonny Malone started the program talking about the history of Assiniboia’s fire department,” Lacelle says.
“Each firefighter was introduced with a short biography of why they volunteer for this division of protective services, how many years of service they have, along with information on where they work at their other job, and those family members who support them.”
Years of service awards were handed out, and long service medals from the Canadian Volunteer Fire Fighters Association were awarded, as follows:
- Fire Chief Terry Lacelle: 20-year service (20-year service pin and 20-year medal)
- Deputy Chief Casey Topola: 19 years service (15-year service pin and 15-year medal)
- Deputy Chief Tyler Bamford: 14 years service (10-year service pin and 10-year medal)
- Captain Nathan Rust: 18 years service (15-year service pin and 15-year medal)
- Lieutenant Mike Holowaches: 21 years service (20-year service pin and 20-year medal)
- Lieutenant Dave Martin: 11 years service (10-year service pin and 10-year medal)
- Lieutenant Kurtis Thompson: four years service
- Fire Fighter Jasper Moneo: eight years service (five-year service pin)
- Fire Fighter Cody Waselenko: seven years service (five-year service pin)
- Fire Fighter Joshua Benham: seven years service (five-year service pin)
- Fire Fighter Dalton Wenaus: seven years service (five-year service pin)
- Fire Fighter Mike Krauss: six years service (five-year service pin)
- Fire Fighter Chayce Thronberg: four years service
- Fire Fighter Carter Lewis: three years service
- Fire Fighter Riley Malone: two years service
- Fire Fighter Gerhard Fourie; one year service
- Fire Fighter Lewis Harvey: nine months' service
- Fire Fighter Riley Faford: nine months service
Two long-service medals were awarded to retired members of the department before the event — Retired Fire Chief Chuck Rust for 30 years of service, and retired firefighter Randy Ray for 20 years of service.
The program then moved to a short speech presented by Lacelle, who outlined what services this fire department offers, how their team trains to provide those services as well as special thanks to past firefighters, sponsors, businesses and other responders.
Assiniboia’s Fire Chief also gave this stark reminder, “Everyone needs to slow down and proceed with caution when passing emergency workers, tow trucks, RCMP, construction and anyone stopped along the side of the road. Everyone working along that road is someone’s family, and reducing your speed and moving over will save a life.”
AFD closed their program, acknowledging and thanking numerous sponsors and donors for this special recognition event.
“All in all, it was a successful event that recognized our fire department volunteers and raised a small amount of money to help purchase new equipment for the department. A fun evening of food, music and entertainment,” said Lacelle.
Scenes from inside the Prince of Wales Cultural Centre during the Firefighters’ Ball. | Photos courtesy the Assiniboia Times
