Slave Lake Thanks Calgary Firefighters

In 2011, Calgary firefighters rushed to assist the Town of Slave Lake in their battle against wildfires, which destroyed almost a third of their town. Today, to thank them for their help, former Mayor of Slave Lake Karina Pillay-Kinee and Fire Chief Jamie Coutts presented those firefighters with the town’s medal of honour.

In May 2011 when wildfires swept through the Town of Slave Lake, the Lesser Slave Regional Fire Service  put out a call for help. In response, the Calgary Fire Department, along with the Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), Canada Task Force 2 and other agencies from across the Province, sent firefighters, staff and supplies to assist.

“I was, and continue to be immensely proud of the compassion our Calgary firefighters showed our neighbours,” said Calgary Fire Chief Bruce Burrell. “Having recently experienced our own disaster where we needed to call upon our neighbours and friends from across the province, I know how important it is to have such a network of emergency professionals to rely on.”

This afternoon in Calgary, former Mayor Pillay-Kinee and Slave Lake Fire Chief Coutts presented more than 200 Calgary Fire Department members with the Slave Lake Medal of Honour.

The Calgary Fire Department’s mission is to serve the community through excellence in fire prevention, education, protection and safety.  For more information on the Calgary Fire Department, please visit www.calgary.ca/fire

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