Martensville Deputy Fire Chief Dean Brooman

Warman Fire Chief Russ Austin and Martensville Deputy Fire Chief Dean Brooman are among over 100 recipients of the Saskatchewan Protective Services Medal for 2020.

Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty announced the names of 103 medal recipients, from communities across the province, on Monday, September 14.

“In challenging times such as this, it is more important than ever to recognize the valuable work of our protective services personnel,” Mirasty said. “I wish to thank each medal recipient for their outstanding service to our province and I congratulate them on this well-deserved honour.”

The medal honours personnel with at least 25 years of exemplary service in Saskatchewan in protective services fields, including police, fire, correctional and border services, the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as mobile crisis and family violence outreach services.

Austin said it was “an honour and a privilege” to be recognized for his 27 years as a firefighter. He started his career as a volunteer firefighter with the Martensville Fire Department in 1992.

“I don’t consider myself an old person,” said Austin in an interview September 14. “But the world of firefighting has changed a lot since the early 1990s.

“I remember there was one really old truck in the fleet when I started where you stood on the back of the tailboard and pressed a buzzer when you were ready to go.”

Austin’s first training session was a literal trial by fire.

Warman Fire Chief Russ Austin

“I was sworn in as a volunteer firefighter on a Wednesday, and on Thursday there was a grass fire. The training officer told me: ‘do what I do and don’t die.’ Shortly thereafter more formal training was instituted.”

Brooman said he was surprised and honoured to receive the award.

“My dad was a veteran of the Second World War,” said Brooman. “I look at the medals he earned, and that’s a pretty high standard.

“I never fought a war, but on the other hand, there were a few fires over the years that resembled a war zone.

“There was one really big tire fire at the landfill south of Martensville one time that went on for days. It was miserable conditions; we were up to our kneecaps in mud and the trucks kept getting stuck. Things were not going smoothly.

“But I remember thinking at the time: At least no one is shooting at us.”

Brooman said he loves serving the public and was not expecting any special recognition.

“It’s a nice honour,” said Brooman. “And I’m glad to have the opportunity to work in a great city like Martensville.”

This year’s recipients come from 26 rural and urban communities from across the province. They will receive a circular medal surmounted by St. Edward’s Crown and a certificate signed by the Lieutenant Governor, Premier and Provincial Secretary. The medal bears the motto Qui civitatem tuentur (who guard the citizenry).

While public health orders due to COVID-19 will prevent the traditional presentation ceremonies normally held for this medal in Regina and Saskatoon, each nominating agency will receive a medal package and certificate for presentation to their recipient(s) in a physically-distanced internal ceremony.