Saint-Marc-de-Figuery highlights the dedication of seven volunteer firefighters

The dedication of seven volunteer firefighters was highlighted Thursday evening, in Saint-Marc-de-Figuery, near Amos.

We wanted to highlight the firefighters who have retired and, through the band, the program also allowed us to give medals to all those who had 20 years or more of service. I thought it was missing. It’s important as recognition, because these guys put a lot of effort and sacrifice into it. It just needs to stand outargues director Simon Cloutier.

Municipal Councilor Johanne Sabourin and Mayor André Rioux presented the medal (20 years) and bar (10 years) to Daniel Boutin for his 36 years of distinguished service.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Martin Guindon

An opinion fully shared by Mayor André Rioux.

We know that it is work that is voluntary and it is for the safety of our fellow citizens. We talk a lot about fire protection, but we know very well that firefighters are often the first to be called when an unfortunate event occurs. They are also often people who volunteer in the communityhe points out.

Difficult to recruit

The volunteer fire brigade of Saint-Marc-de-Figuery has 11 members, she who has already counted about fifteen.

Simon Cloutier recognizes that it is increasingly difficult to recruit new firefighters in rural areas, especially with the 400 hours of training required.

It cools the ardor a little. But there are guys who have done it, there are guys who are doing it. It is to find the right timing also at the family level to do all that. It is certain that the guy who works in Amos, when the bell rings and he comes down here, he loses hours of work. It takes an accommodating employer. It’s more complex than it lookshe says.

Councilor Martin Thibault and Mayor André Rioux presented the medal to Simon Cloutier for his 22 years of distinguished service.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Martin Guindon

Mayor André Rioux would also like to add members to the brigade. With COVID and health measures, it was not a good time to train new people, but now we are going to actively recruithe assures.

To ensure that it has a sufficient number of trucks and firefighters to intervene, the Saint-Marc-de-Figuery Fire Department has for several years had an automatic mutual aid agreement with the neighboring La Corne and Landrienne brigades.

This allows the three municipalities to respect their commitments within the MRC d’Abitibi’s Fire Safety Coverage Plan.

passion and calling

Councilor Mathieu Breton and Mayor André Rioux presented the medal (20 years) and a bar (10 years) to Luc Corriveau for his 39 years of distinguished service.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Martin Guindon

A firefighter for 39 years, Luc Corriveau recognizes that you have to be driven by a certain passion.

I am still a firefighter today. I don’t know for how much longer, but as long as I’m able, I’ll keep going. Of course you have to like it. And sometimes, if we can save lives, save houses, that’s for sure attractive. If there are young people who want to board, we are there to give them advice with our experience.he says.

Denis Léger received his medal from Mayor André Rioux, for his 25 years of distinguished service.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Martin Guindon

A member of the brigade for 25 years and director from 2001 to 2005, Denis Léger talks about a real vocation.

It’s not because it’s chargeable, on the contrary, it even costs us money, especially with the price of gasoline at the moment. You really have to want to serve the population. We want to help people, there is nothing else in my opinion, we want to help people. The young person who wants to join a brigade and who has a family, it is sure that it requires a lot of time outside the family. Maybe that’s why it’s so hard to recruithe believes.