Mark Bothorel (left), Kevin Lockwood (right), and Bob Hosaluk (absent) were honoured by the Nipawin Fire Department for 25-plus years of service. (Mat Barrett/northeastNOW Staff)

By Mat Barrett

Protective Services Medals

Nipawin Fire Department members honoured for long and exemplary service

Oct 6, 2020 | 1:26 PM

The Nipawin Fire Department honoured a trio of its members yesterday.

Mark Bothorel, Kevin Lockwood, and Bob Hosaluk, were all given their Saskatchewan Protective Services medals for 25-plus years of service. The medals come from the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan and 103 were handed out this year to various protective service members including firefighters like this trio, RCMP officers, paramedics, and more for their exemplary work and long commitment.

Nipawin Fire Chief Dave Balding said it is well deserved for these members to be honoured for 25 years doing what they do.

“The devotion required is unimaginable,” he said. “We do things together and face things that others don’t. These folks, I’m sure have memories both amazing, and a little scary, but they continue to give.”

The three men were honoured at an internal ceremony on Monday, but Hosaluk was unfortunately unable to attend the event due to work.

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Bothorel, who is since retired, said it’s exciting to be a part of the brotherhood, and be a part of the community.

“It’s been a real pleasure here to actually work with all of the guys, a lot of great guys here,” he said. “And work with them and be involved in the fire department.”

Lockwood said that it feels good to be a part of the group, and mentioned other members have even more years, but it’s great to mentor the younger members. He added he got into the fire service because some of his brothers are in the police service.

“It’s nice to be part of the team that helps people,” Lockwood said. “So I just come by it naturally.”

Being a part of the community is something both men said is extremely important. Bothorel said being a part of something community-related like the fire department and helping your family and friends stay safe is special.

“I think anybody that’s willing to help and be a part of the community,” Bothorel told northeastNOW. “And yet be committed to saving lives or actually working for the betterment of people, I think is just a great profession.”

Lockwood mentioned other community groups such as the Elks, Kinsmen, and others saying that all of them serve the community in some way, and so does the fire department.

“To be a part of a group that you can get your hands dirty and be part of the comradery is more of it too,” he said. “It’s just like any other service group, it’s just a different way to give back to the community.”

Both men reflected on moments with the department as well. Bothorel talked about how he remembers having to rescue a cat from a fire and had to use his own saliva to put out the flames on its fur, and he also talked about some of the more serious injuries from crashes they had to see. Lockwood mentioned by his math, he’s gone to the fire department between at least 1,800 and 2,000 times during his time with the department, for a number of reasons, and sometimes having to skip out on important family dinners.

After 25 years, a lot also changed in the fire service. Both Bothorel and Lockwood said the technology has changed a great deal from dispatching to a call to suiting up. Lockwood said they feel lucky to have improved vehicles and equipment for serious weather conditions like the Saskatchewan winters. Bothorel mentioned the advancements in research when it comes to Occupational Health and Safety as well as knowing more about the health effects of being a firefighter.

Bothorel has two children who are part of the fire department in Saskatoon, and said being a firefighter is a job he takes pride in. Lockwood said that the junior firefighting program is also a great way to keep up the brotherhood and legacy of the fire department.

All three recipients received a medal as well as a certificate to honour their service.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6