INNISFAIL – It was a special evening for heroes on May 20 in the Innisfail Golf Club’s Event Centre.
Eleven members of the Town of Innisfail's protective services department received prestigious medals either from the federal and provincial governments or both for their longstanding service to the community.
“It has been a remarkable history for the Innisfail Fire Department as it is one of the oldest fire departments in Alberta,” said Gary Leith, the town’s director of protective services. “And it certainly has a proud history as shown by the members who have served for over 40 years.
“Next year John Syroid will be hitting the 50-year mark, a real commitment to the community.”
Syroid signed up to serve with the Innisfail Fire Department on Valentine’s Day in 1976 and was later the town’s last part-time fire chief from 2003 to 2013.
The evening at the club’s Event Centre featured a dinner and the presentation of long service medals from Town of Innisfail Mayor Jean Barclay to 11 members of the town’s protective services department.
They were eligible for either or both the federal Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal and provincial Alberta Emergency Services Medal and its subsequent bars.
The Innisfail recipients included:
• Peace officer Sgt. Derek Radatzke – 12-year provincial medal;
• Director Gary Leith - 12-year provincial medal;
• Capt. Shawn Jacobsen - 12-year provincial medal;
• Capt. Shaun Ludlow - 12-year provincial medal;
• Capt. Kevin Fedorchuk - 12-year provincial medal and 20-year federal medal;
• Assist. Chief Mike Thomson - 12-year provincial medal;
• Assist. Chief Tim Ainscough - 22-year provincial medal bar;
• Capt. Jayme Hendrick - 20-year federal medal bar and 22-year provincial medal bar, and Assist. Chief Clark Maldaner – 32-year provincial medal bar.
