To honour all of the numerous people and groups who served the community during the first 100 hours of the 2016 wildfire Mayor and Council have launched the Council Commendation Wildfire Medal Program.
“We wish to recognize those extraordinary individuals from our community who took it upon themselves to help in the first 100 hours of the wildfire,” said Mayor Melissa Blake. “While there were unprecedented efforts from firefighters and law enforcement across the region, there was also significant assistance from the general public, and that also needs to be recognized.”
Residents can nominate individuals from the public from April 27 until May 19.
Nomination covers a period of service between May 3 from 1 p.m., to May 7 at 5 p.m. during which the individual performed actions, deeds or achievements.
The Municipality already has a comprehensive list of all local firefighters and law enforcement personnel who supported during the first 100 hours.
Three award categories have been developed for the Council Commendation Wildfire Medal Program:
- Fire Fighter Award for Service recognizes local fire fighters
- Law Enforcement Award for Service recognizes local law enforcement personnel – including RCMP, Bylaw and Sheriffs
- Achievement in Public Service recognizes members of the public who have distinguished themselves by direct hands-on participation in an act or operation of a humanitarian nature during the first 100 hours of the 2016 wildfire.
Once the nomination process closes on May 19, award recipients from all categories will receive an invitation to a recognition event on Canada Day weekend.
Th event will include medal presentations, speeches, and a community BBQ.
The Municipality has been working closely with representatives from Slave Lake to develop a program for Wood Buffalo.
Slave Lake held a similar recognition program following the wildfire that affected their community.
To find out more about the program or nominate someone for the Award for Achievement in Public Service at www.rmwb.ca/medal.
