B6 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, December 13, 2006 Retirement After 30 years Of Volunteer Firefighting Service “It’s official. After 30 years. of being a volunteer fire fighter with the Thornhill Fire Department, Ed Willms is hanging up helmet and jacket. ul On December 16th, Willms will be recognized by the members of the Thornhill Fi ire YU . Department for his dedicated 30 years of service at a special awards ceremony at the . Thornhill Community Centre. On hand for the event will be Fire Commissioner E: David Hodgins, to present Willms with his 25 year Provincial Fire Service medal, and his 30 year . - Federal Fire Service medal. : Willms joined the Thornhill Fire Department i in February 1976, while the department still . Operated out of a small rented shop on Clark Street. Later that year, the fire department - moved to it’s new fire hall on Highway 16 frontage road, which is it’s current location of the main fire hall. « . In 30 years, Willms has seen a lot of changes: New volunteers joining, others’ leaving, new equipment, new fire trucks and changes to services provided. He has served under six different fire chiefs. He has seen a small fire department grow into a much larger. department w with three fire halls and 48 members. u This service to his community didn’t come without sacrifices. Every volunteer firefighter " makes many sacrifices; family functions cut short, interrupted meals, calls in the middle of the night, missed appointments due to-calls outs and the list goes on. This dedication _ usually goes unrecognized to the general public, but the fire department could not exist - “ without this kind of dedication from members like Willms. s ao foe During his service e with the Thornhill Fire Department, he has served as fires ghter, Lieutenant, and Safety Officer. a, Of s ‘6 It is also important to recognize Ed’s wife Pat, who has supported him during his time at _, the fire department, in understanding the commitment it takes to be a volunteer firefighter. Pat has a better understanding than some spouses, as she.too was a ‘member of the Thornhill Fire Department, a number of years ago. ' ° All the members of the Thornhill Fire Department want to thank Ed and Pat for their time, service to their community and wish them a long and healthy retirement... Although they . are more to stop” by for coffeeat at anytime, as the doors will always be open ‘for them. I 982 - Ed Willms (right) presented with 5 year service award by past chief Jim Piper (left) } Long: Service Awards — Local Firefig ters” . Thornhill Fire Chief Wes Patterson Fire Services Exemplary Service 20 Year Federal Award) “Wes Patterson joined the Thornhill Fire Department in June of 1983. . He has held positions of Captain, Assistant Chief and Deputy Chief'before being named Fire Chief in February 2005. Firefighter Cal Albright - Provincial Long Service Medal ._ Fire Services Exemplary Service (30 Year Federal Aw ard) a Cal Albright joined the Thornhill Fire Department in August of 1975. Currently responsible for apparatus training, he has held 44 positions of Captain and Assistant Chief. ss, ‘Assistant Fire Chief Art'Hill | | m Provincial Long Service Medal a Fire Services Exemplary Service (30 Year Federal Aw ard) a Art Hill joined the Thornhill Fire Department in December | 1975, bringing previous firefighter experience with him from _ 1 Telkwa Volunteer Fire Department. ; # Art was the Thornhill Fire Chief from 1998 to 2005, and is the longest serving Chief officer within the department.