It is easy to forget about emergency services.
Until an emergency happens.
The Humboldt Emergency Services Charity Event on March 4 was a chance to celebrate Humboldt’s unique relationship between the Humboldt RCMP, Ambulance, and Fire while raising money for community projects.
Humboldt Fire Department Chief, Mike Kwasnica, says that even having all branches of emergency services come together when there is not an emergency is important for building the team.
“You get to know the other members, you get to work with them, you get to see them as a real person, and you get to see them outside their regular work hours.”
Kwasnica says this team building shows when they respond to a call and work together to get the job done.
Staff Sergeant Adare Guest with the Humboldt RCMP says Humboldt is fortunate to have these agencies that do work together so well.
“In an emergency situation, often times you don’t have time to sort out issues at that time so it’s always good to have a really good working relationship between the groups.”
Guest started as the Humboldt RCMP Staff Sergeant in October, which has been a great working environment to come to, especially considering the response from the community.
Humboldt Ambulance will be celebrating their 25th anniversary on April 1 so the event was also a kick off to that, says Dave Mortensen with Humboldt Ambulance.
Mortensen says that all three agencies also get excited for the event because of the successful fundraising at the event each year.
“It’s a chance for all three agencies to get together and enjoy each other’s company along with the public and but it’s also a great time to raise the money and put it to some worthwhile causes.”
The 2017 event funds have not been ear marked for anything yet but Mortensen notes causes in the past that they have contributed including the skateboard park, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and school radar signs.
Each member of the Humboldt Fire and Humboldt Ambulance was introduced to the community and recognized for their years of service.
The Humboldt Fire Department members are volunteers so it is great to recognize the effort that they willingly put into the community, says Kwasnica.
“There is a lot of times they spend hours away from their families during training, during calls. You get called away at supper at Christmas time, at any given time.”
Special pins are given out for certain years of service. Four Humboldt Fire Department members received pins at the, including James Huber who received his 25 year service pin, Kwasnica who received his 15 year pin, and Jordan Dalsin and Graham Hall who each received their five year service pins.
The Humboldt Fire also recognizes their firefighter of the year at the event.
The extra work and training Jordan Dalsin put in around the fire hall did not go unnoticed says Deputy Fire Chief Darrell Wickenhauser during the presentation of the award.
“It shows his commitment to the Humboldt Fire Department.”
A very special presentation went to Joe Dutchak who celebrated 40 years as a volunteer firefighter before retiring in December.
Shari Hinz was also at the event to present awards on behalf of Safe Communities and their ambassadors for safety awards.
The Humboldt RCMP received the Community Partner Service Award and both Annette Magus and Linda Salikin-Dufault both received individual volunteer awards.
The event itself was put together by members of all three branches but the community shows up to support it, says Kwasnica, from donations to showing up to bid on silent auction prizes.
“It seems like everyone waits for it every year.”
After 11 years, Mortensen says that planning is getting easier each year and the crowds are getting bigger.
