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Saskatchewan fire chief receives CVFSA award

May 16, 2012 – A volunteer fire chief in rural Saskatchewan is the 2012 recipient of the Canadian Volunteer Fire Service Association’s (CVFSA) Lifetime Achievement Award.

Brian Starkell of the Town of Nipawin Volunteer Fire Department had been fire chief for two years at the time of his nomination, and has been a volunteer for 19 years.

Fire Chief Brian Starkell of the Town of Nipawin Volunteer Fire Department is the 2012 recipient of the CVFSA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Starkell began his service as a volunteer in Codette, Sask., in June 1976. In 1999, the Codette Volunteer Fire Department disbanded, which brought Starkell to Nipawin.

The CVFSA said Tuesday that Starkell has displayed a keen sense of community, developing, organizing and implementing programs in fire and injury prevention from elementary to high school students.

“He was and continues to be the catalyst that drives fire and injury prevention for seniors,” the association said.

Starkell is chair of the public education committee for the Saskatchewan Association of Fire Chiefs and “a lifelong learner believing that education is key to success both for himself and his firefighters.”

The CVFSA said Starkell had reached several educational milestones ranging from firefighter to leader/instructor/investigator and fire and life safety educator.

“He continues to share his knowledge instructing throughout the Province of Saskatchewan fire service in the field of emergency management,” the association said.

“He sits as a trusted advisor on the Prince Albert communications center fire advisory team as well as assuming the role of the emergency management organization co-ordinator for his area.”

Starkell has also been recognized by Gov.-Gen. David Johnston as one of many volunteer firefighters who will receive the diamond jubilee medal marking the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne.