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Fire chief receives Queen’s Award

Whistler’s Fire Chief Bruce Hall has been presented with The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award. "I feel very privileged," he said.

Whistler’s Fire Chief Bruce Hall has been presented with The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award.

"I feel very privileged," he said.

The award is in recognition of the "unsung heroes" in the community who give up time and energy in voluntary service.

Hall was presented with the award at the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs Annual Conference.

All members of the board of directors received the same award.

"It was basically in recognition of the extra work and dedication that the board has put in, making communities safer all across Canada," said Hall.

Alberta’s Lt.-Gov. Lois Hole presented the award on Sept. 25 in Calgary, pinning the shiny gold medal on directors from the 10 provinces and three territories, as well as the six executive board members.

"It took the medal all across Canada just because of the make-up of our board," he said.

"Not only was it a real honour to get the medal but to have it go to my colleagues across the country was really gratifying as well."

The medal is gold with a picture of the Queen on one side. On the other side is a maple leaf with the crown. There’s a red, blue and white ribbon attached.

Hall will display the medal when he is wearing his dress uniform.

The board of directors of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs is a national organization representing all the provinces and territories in Canada.

Hall is British Columbia’s representative and is president of the Fire Chiefs Association of B.C.

He has been a fire chief for 17 years, in Abbotsford, Fort Nelson, and Mission. He has been Whistler’s fire chief for the past year and a half.

Mayor Hugh O’Reilly presented Hall with a plaque at Monday’s council meeting in honour of the Golden Jubilee Award.

Hall was appreciative of council and the senior management’s support, which allows him to devote time and energy to his work as a member of the board, he said.

The national organization of fire chiefs deals with issues affecting the fire service on a national stage.

Hall points to issues like the response to terrorism, the taxation of the volunteer fire fighters and various health issues as topics of concern for the national association.

This year marks the half-century since the Queen’s accession to the throne.

The Jubilee Awards and the current tour around Canada are a way of celebrating 50 years of service by the Queen.