Powell River’s fire chief has received a prestigious provincial award, the highest honour that can be bestowed on a working chief.
The Fire Chiefs’ Association of British Columbia has given Dan Ouellette, director of fire and emergency services, the Meritorious Achievement Award. City of Powell River council recognized Ouellette at the June 6 council meeting. Professional and auxiliary firefighters attended the meeting in support of Ouellette.
The award is not given out lightly, said Mayor Dave Formosa. “There are not a lot of them that have been given out,” he said. “You truly have to earn this award.”
Ouellette has served the city and fire services since 1985, Formosa pointed out, and has continually demonstrated a commitment to making a positive difference to Powell River Fire Rescue. “Fire chief Ouellette has actively encouraged better service coverage, a supportive and collaborative relationship with neighbouring volunteer departments and increased competency and training standards,” he said. “He continues to be a mentor and was recently appointed chair of the North Island 911 Fire Dispatch Advisory Committee.”
Ouellette has also served as chair of the Training Officers’ Association for Zone 1A and chief officer in the First Responders Advisory Group, Formosa added. “He continues to work diligently to promote and improve all emergency services, both locally and beyond the community,” he said.
The award recognizes Ouellette’s unprecedented leadership and ideals to advocate for regional commodities and promote fire protection for all residents, Formosa also said. “This is the highest honour that can be bestowed on an active fire chief,” he said.
Everyone in council chambers gave Ouellette a standing ovation. The applause lasted for over a minute.
Ouellette showed another side of his character in responding to the recognition: modesty. “It’s really the team around me that deserves some of this too,” he said. “You can’t get to this level without people like this and I think I have some of the finest.”
Formosa also recognized Captain Rick Robins, who has served as the fire department’s chaplain since the retirement of Captain Robert Ford in February 2011. In 2012, Robins became a member of the Federation of Fire Chaplains and trained in critical incident stress management.
Robins and his wife, Captain Jennifer Robins, have been the Salvation Army pastors in Powell River since 2006. They have been transferred and will be moving soon along with their three children.
“He has been a pillar of emotional support, attending major incidents to ensure firefighters are hydrated and fed,” said Formosa. “He has also been instrumental in providing critical incident stress counselling after incidents.”
Robins has also played an important role for emergency services support services as well, Formosa said. “The Salvation Army church was activated as the reception centre after the Villa Anna fire and they provided support to the residents through the process,” he said. “He has also been active and a valuable hockey player in the Powell River community.”
Formosa said Powell River was Rick and Jennifer’s first posting. “We will always have a spot in your heart and you and your family will always have a spot in our heart,” Formosa said. “This mayor will truly miss you...and our whole community will miss you and this fire unit is going to miss you.”
Robins also received a standing ovation from the audience in council chambers.
