Three members of the Assiniboia Fire Department were awarded Canadian exemplary service medals on November 6. Fire Chief Chuck Rust, Captain Fraser Gibson and long-time member Gary Jonescu were presented with the Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal in recognition of 20 years of loyal service.
The Town of Assiniboia Council recognized Rust, Gibson and Jonescu for their dedicated public service and presented them with the medals. Rust spent 23 years with the Assiniboia Fire Department, Jonesco has served 26 years and Gibson has served 24 years.
The Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal, created on August 29, 1985, honours members of a recognized Canadian fire service who have completed 20 years of service. Ten years of their service was in the performance of duties involving potential risks. Recognized fire services include Canadian fire departments, fire marshals’ offices, fire commissioners’ offices and the Canadian Forces fire services. Exemplary service is characterized by good conduct, industry and efficiency.
The medal is circular. On one side, it has a stylized maple leaf bearing a fire hydrant with crossed axes, upon which a Maltese cross is centred, and which is circumscribed with “exemplary service, services distingués”. On the reverse is the Royal Cipher. The Medal is suspended from a ribbon of five equal stripes, two gold and three red.
Jonescu was recently awarded the Saskatchewan Protective Services Medal. The medal is given by the province to recognize 25 years of exemplary service as a firefighter in support of the safety and security of citizens in the Province of Saskatchewan.
Assiniboia Fire Rescue will be hosting the 60th annual Fire Fighter Provincial Curling Championship taking place Friday, February 2 to Sunday, February 4, 2018 at the Assiniboia Curling Club. The organizers have planned the Fireman’s Ball to take place during the same weekend as the curling provincials. Other fire departments are invited to attend dressed in their uniforms. The ball is a semi-formal event with a banquet, dance and live band.
