Over a dozen new members have joined the ranks of the Amherstburg Fire Department.
The department held a firefighter graduation ceremony last Tuesday evening at fire station #1 where the new firefighters were congratulated on completing their year-long training period. A total of 13 firefighters were welcomed with some being auxiliary members.
Joined by the families and friends, the new firefighters were congratulated by their colleagues including Amherstburg fire chief Michael Mio, deputy chiefs Dan Monk and Ron Meloche, training officer Nick D’Amore and much of the department.
Monk remarked this will likely be the last graduation in that fire station, with the new station now under construction on the Libro Centre grounds.
D’Amore thanked the new firefighters for their efforts and noted they have spent a lot of time away from their families. He stated they have accepted a call for service where they will put others needs ahead of their own.
“Today marks the beginning of an incredible journey for each of you,” D’Amore said during the graduation ceremony.
The fire department becomes a support system and a family, he noted, and that no individual was above the team. He also pointed out the sacrifices they will make for their community.
“As you move forward, never forget where you started,” said D’Amore.
Firefighters have a special skillset that allows them to deal with fire and keep people safe, he noted.
“You are dealing with an enemy that can’t be reasoned with and has no conscience,” he said. “You are dealing with an enemy only you can deal with.”
Mio thanked the new recruits for learning and honing their new skills as firefighters.
“You are stepping up to serve, protect and give back to your community,” the chief told them.
Mio praised the new firefighters’ dedication and said it will take them far.
Alex Lyons is one of the new firefighters and said he is looking forward to serving the community in a new way.
“It’s exciting,” said Lyons. “It’s something different every day.”
Lyons is also an officer with the Windsor Police Service – Amherstburg Detachment. There is an additional teamwork and medical aspect with being a firefighter that he enjoys in addition to being a police officer.
“You don’t fight fires by yourself,” said Lyons. “You do it as a team.”
Along with Lyons, other new firefighters include Matt Price, Brannon Beaudoin, Dustin Pillon, Christiano Stella, Kyle Lucier, Christian St. Jean, Tyler Labrecque, Joshua Oakley, Cole Welsh, Pierce Beaudoin and Alex Illie.
Amherstburg Fire Department welcomes 13 new members
By Ron Giofu
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