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March 28, 2012 – The Canadian Volunteer Fire Services Association (CVFSA) is excited to have been selected to partner with the Governor General of Canada to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the ascension to the Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The CVFSA has been selected to represent all volunteer firefighters in Canada in presenting the diamond jubilee medals, and I am thrilled to be a part of this as the assistant director for the province of Ontario for the CVFSA.

It goes without saying that there is a certain amount of pride associated with being a member of a volunteer fire department, whether you are a firefighter or an officer. It’s a unique type of person who is drawn to this kind of lifestyle, with qualities such as dedication (some may call it an addiction), perseverance (some may say bull-headedness), determination (might be called stubbornness), enthusiasm (may be misinterpreted as an adrenaline junkie) and the desire to help others (as in, we’re here and we’re going to help you whether you need us to or not).

All kidding aside, there is a common theme among firefighters and it’s the genuine desire to help others, not only in their own communities, but far beyond as well. It’s this quality that motivates us to do the things we do, and to continue to do them year after year. Which is why many who join volunteer departments stay with the department for decades. It’s a part of who they are. A big part. A deeply ingrained part.

Please take the time to nominate someone from your department. Whether they have been with the department for a few years or a few decades, if they are the type who goes above and beyond the call of duty and makes a significant impact on the fire department and/or community, they deserve your nomination.

To date, nine medals have been awarded (click here to see the list of recipients). There’s still time for you to make sure a firefighter you know is acknowledged for his or her efforts.

It takes only a few minutes of your time to fill out the nomination form (click here), but receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal is something that will last a lifetime.