Two Humboldt firefighters have been recognized for more than 25 years of dedicated service.
Firefighter James Huber and former deputy chief Francis Kunz were presented with the Saskatchewan Protective Services Medal on May 30.
Provincial Secretary Wayne Elhard and Lieutenant-Governor Vaughn Solomon Schofield made the presentation to 21 Saskatchewan protective service personnel in Saskatoon last Thursday.
"Today we celebrate the achievements of those men and women who have served the people of Saskatchewan for more than a quarter century in the field of protective services and made our province a safer place," Elhard said during the presentation. "Their careers are a testament to the people and communities of this great province and for that we salute them."
"It was a fantastic honour," Kunz said of receiving the medal.
Kunz joined the Humboldt Fire Department (HFD) in January 1986 and said there have been plenty of memorable experiences and important achievements throughout the years. Among the most notable, he said, was receiving the Fireman of the Year Award for saving the life of a young man involved in a car accident, and helping to establish the Humboldt Emergency Relief Organization.
With 27 years of service under his belt, Kunz said he won't even begin contemplating retirement from the HFD until he makes the 30-year mark.
"It gets into your blood," he explained, adding the fulfilment he gets from helping save a life or property is unexplainable. "Helping people and being there for the community - those feelings can't be expressed."
Fellow firefighter Huber agreed that satisfaction of being able to help others drew him to the career.
"I just like to help people," he said, the day following the medal presentation.
Huber joined the Bruno Fire Department in 1986 and transferred to the Humboldt Fire Department in 1991. After 27 years of active service, Huber continues to support the community through emergency response efforts.
While he's responded to countless calls throughout his career, Huber said he tries to avoid recalling bad scenes and concentrates on the positive aspects and department accomplishments.
"The biggest thing that stands out over the 27 years is the camaraderie of the fire department," he said. "It's like a family."
Huber added beyond the department, the emergency services personnel in Humboldt, including RCMP and EMS, work as a team and depend on one another for support.
"The people that I have worked with throughout the years have been great," he said.
The Saskatchewan Protective Services Medal recognizes individuals who have 25 years or more of exemplary service protecting the people of Saskatchewan or their property in either a volunteer or a full-time capacity.
Recipients include firefighters, police officers, corrections workers, members of the Canadian Forces and emergency medical responders.
Established in 2003, the Saskatchewan Protective Services Medal is administered by the Saskatchewan Protocol Office in close co-operation with the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police, Saskatchewan Firefighters Association and other agencies whose personnel are eligible for the honour.
