Calow has been very involved in the community, including leading school tours with the department. (Submitted photo/Jason Everitt)

By Mat Barrett

New Lieutenant

‘He’s earned this’: Melfort Fire promotes Calow to Lieutenant

Aug 31, 2019 | 8:53 AM

The Melfort Fire Department has promoted one of their own to the position of Lieutenant.

Graham Calow will now be responsible for the ‘D’ Platoon with the department as he takes over the Company Officer, Lieutenant position.

The Lieutenant position came open earlier this year when Leonard Whitney was promoted to Captain from Lieutenant. Fire Chief Jason Everitt said they were happy to promote him.

“He’s a strong, solid, very well respected member of the department,” Everitt told northeastNOW. “He exhibits exceptional leadership attributes on a daily basis and we’re proud to have him on the department.”

Calow joined the department in February 2011 as a firefighter, but then was trained to become a driver of the firetrucks before now becoming a Lieutenant.

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“I was pretty honoured to be picked to be promoted to that position,” Calow said. “We’ve got a really good squad of people here in Melfort and I’m just honoured that I can be providing some leadership to a group of guys and look forward to learning and working with them in the future.”

Outside of the department, Calow is a teacher at the high school in Melfort, and is also a linesman in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. He said when it comes to his community involvement, he looks back to when he was growing up.

“Obviously family plays a big role, but I had a lot of other people that impacted my life in a lot of good ways,” Calow said. “Now that I’m on the other end of that, I try and pass that forward and give back as much as I possibly can.”

When it comes to his new position, Calow will have some new responsibilities. He said there has been some changes with the department, including new equipment and trucks. He said it’s exciting to be involved and learning with the department. Everitt said Calow will have some new responsibility on scene as well.

“He will be responsible for firefighters on the scene of an emergency,” Everitt said. “And he may be in charge of the incident. It all depends on who’s there.”

When asked about why he will make a great Lieutenant, Calow was quick to credit those who have taught him through his time with the Melfort Fire Department.

“I feel like I’m ready to help pass that on to the next generation of young firefighters that we have coming through,” Calow said. “And hopefully I can pass along everything that’s been taught to me along the way.”

Calow was promoted at the department earlier in the week and was given a new red helmet according to Everitt. He said the department is very proud of their new Lieutenant.

“If you see him around, congratulate him, because he’s earned this,” Everitt said.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6