Long service recognized by Puslinch council

Puslinch Mayor Dennis Lever spoke briefly, recognizing long and exemplary service to fire services and rescue as twenty-year fire service exemplary service certificates and medals were presented to Robert Frosh, Steven Goode and William Yates on Nov. 19.

Yates was unable to attend the presentation.

Certificates were signed by the Governor General.

False alarms costs billed back

Puslinch fire chief Steven Goode noted there were a few more false alarm calls in the past month than the same period the year before.

He said one property owner is facing an invoice of $1,230 because of that. The department sent three trucks at a cost of $410 each.

“It took time to investigate and the call turned out to be false – and turned out to be a malfunction of their system. And the owners are responsible for their alarm systems.”

Goode added the fire department responded to two burning complaints in October.

Those responses resulted in total invoices of $3,690.

“We had an individual who demolished a barn put the remains in the foundation and lit it – thinking it was legal. Crews were on scene for quite a while to contain it.”

Goode added, “It’s just another reminder that we are invoicing. It is zero tolerance.”

He added the department is not putting up with it because it takes firefighters a lot of time away from their homes and personal business.

“People need to pay attention to their burning (and get proper permits).”

Volunteerism award

The county fire chiefs in 2014 started the Rick Adamson Volunteerism Award.

Adamson worked for the Town of Erin and passed away from cancer.

Because of this individual and his community efforts, the chiefs decided to have an award and each respective department in the county would submit a name from their area.

Goode said Puslinch recommended firefighter Tom Abraham.

Goode explained that Abraham trains military and police dogs.

Abraham started the Civil Canine Youth Service Program and attends schools throughout Wellington County.

“He assists youth who are marginalized or at risk. Tom is there for those individuals and I’ve seen it first hand.”

Goode said he was at the school in Aberfoyle at one point when Abraham was mentoring a young person who later helped the department in its public education.

“It’s very unique what he does. He asks nothing for what he does and I’m very proud to have him assist us.”

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