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The presentation of Queen’s Diamond Jubliee Medals and Fire Services Exemplary Service Medals capped off the grand opening of the new Prince Edward Island Firefighters Association (PEIFFA) training facility on Friday evening.

“Congratulations to the Prince Edward Island Firefighters Association and the 1,000 firefighters who now will have enhanced training opportunities at this beautiful new facility,” said Environment, Labour and Justice Minister Janice Sherry. “I am especially pleased that the PEIFFA has chosen to name the new fire school after Miles Boulter in recognition of his many years of dedicated service as chief training officer.”

During the grand opening event, His Honour Frank Lewis, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island presented the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal to seven recipients. Minister Sherry, along with PEIFFA President Tim Jenkins and Chief Training Officer Miles Boulter, presented exemplary service medals and bars, and several training certificates to Island firefighters.

The new fire school is located in the Community of Miltonvale Park, on the newly named Boulter Road. The provincial government contributed $506,300 through the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Capital Construction budget for construction of the facility, and $150,000 through the Island Communities Fund. The PEIFFA provided $160,000 towards the project.

“The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal is pleased to support our firefighters who selflessly volunteer their time to help keep Islanders safe,” said Minister Robert Vessey. “This facility will provide firefighters with improved training and is a significant investment in public safety for Islanders.”

The PEIFFA is the principal training agency for more than 1,000 volunteer firefighters from 36 fire departments across the province. The new facility has administration and classroom space and a three-bay truck area. Programs offered at the school include firefighter level I, technical rescue operations, basic fire investigation and ice rescue. The fire school also provides specialized training for other industries in areas such as confined space and rope rescue.

“It is a great day for the fire service in Prince Edward Island,” said Mr. Jenkins. “Volunteers and the Provincial Government have teamed up to create Boulter Station, and this will go a long way towards ensuring the future safety of Island firefighters and the public. In excess of 1,000 years of volunteer service has also been recognized with today’s awards, which demonstrates the dedication of the individuals that we all count on every day for our safety.”

More information on the PEIFFA fire school and the training provided can be found at www.peiffa.com .

BACKGROUNDER

The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal is a tangible way for Canada to honour Her Majesty for her service to this country. At the same time, it serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians. The following people will be awarded Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medals:

Miles Boulter – O’Leary Fire Chief retired, PEIFFA School Principal, Chief Instructor and PEI FDIC Director

Tim Jenkins – Captain Charlottetown Fire Department, Current President PEIFFA

Rick Niblett – Canadian Armed Forces retired, PEIFFA Deputy, Principal and team leader with the PEI Hazardous Materials Team and school instructor

Bill Hogan – Fire Chief, Charlottetown Fire Department retired, PEIFFA School Administrator, Past President PEIFFA

Greg Shaw – District Chief Charlottetown Fire Department, MFCA 1st Vice President, and former Maritime Fire Chiefs Association PEI Director

David Rossiter – Provincial Fire Marshal, Fire Chief St. Peters Fire Department retired, Past President of the PEIFFA, past director of the Maritime Fire Chiefs Association, past Director Canadian Volunteer Fire Service Association, past director Canadian Association of Fire Chief, and current director Canadian Council of Fire Marshal’s and Fire Commissioners

Lieutenant James O’Connor received a Diamond Jubilee Medal in Ottawa on September 8, 2012.

The Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal is presented to honour members of the fire service who have served for 20 years, 10 years of which have been served in the performance of duties involving potential risks. After a firefighter has been awarded the Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal, and has completed another 10 years of service, he or she is awarded a service bar. An additional bar is awarded for every 10 years of service after the medal has been awarded. The following Service Medals are being awarded:

Firefighter, Award, Fire Service

Albert Vaters, First Bar - 30 years, North River

Jeff Gillis, Medal - 20 years, North River

John MacDonald, Medal - 20 years, North River

Fred Howes, First Bar, North River

Joe MacMillan, Medal - 20 years, North River

Bill Sigsworth, Medal - 20 years, North River

Dave Cahill, First Bar - 30 years, Alberton

Emile Bernard, Medal - 20 years, Alberton

Darrell Graham, Medal - 20 years, Alberton

Tom Murphy, Medal - 20 years, Alberton

Chris Murphy, Medal - 20 years, Alberton

Bill Gillis, First Bar - 30 years, Alberton

Robert Doyle, First Bar - 30 years, East River

Mark Feehan, Medal - 20 years, East River

Brian Jennings, Medal - 20 years, Souris

Colin LaVie, First Bar - 30 years, Souris

Kevin Murphy, Medal - 20 years, Borden-Carleton

Sheldon Myers, First Bar - 30 years, Crapaud

Jim MacIntyre, Medal - 20 years, Cardigan

James Peters, Second Bar - 40 years, Summerside

Brian Morrison, Medal - 20 years, Summerside

Leo Stewart, Medal - 20 years, Summerside

Reg DesRoche, Medal - 20 years, Summerside

Marcel Arsenault, Medal - 20 years, Summerside

Doug Gallant, Medal - 20 years, Summerside

Ian Gallant, Medal - 20 years, North Rustico

Derek Stewart, Medal - 20 years, West Point

Brian Smith, Medal - 20 years, West Point

A Boyles, Medal - 20 years, West Point

Gerard Arsenault, First Bar - 30 years, Wellington

Creston Gillis, Medal - 20 years, Belfast

Donald MacPherson, First Bar - 30 years, Belfast

Wade MacKenzie, First Bar - 30 years, Belfast

Neil Emery, Medal - 20 years, Belfast

Jerry Hughes, Medal - 20 years, Crossroads

Charles Murdock, Medal - 20 years, Crossroads

Donnie Martin, Medal - 20 years, Crossroads

Peter MacDonald, Medal - 20 years, Crossroads

Andrew Rollin, Medal - 20 years, Crossroads

Note – The Charlottetown Fire Department will be presenting their awards at a separate event in the city at a later date.