By TERRY PUGH
Dalmeny Fire Chief Rick Elder has been named the 2024 Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year by the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC).
The prestigious award was presented to Elder at the CAFC annual conference in Montreal on Tuesday, September 24. Elder was chosen for the honour, the highest that can be given to a volunteer fire chief in Canada, by his peers from across the country.
Each year, the CAFC and the Fire Underwriters Survey host the Fire Chief of the Year Awards to recognize contributions from Fire Chiefs that go above and beyond the expected role. There are two awards; one for a Volunteer Fire Chief, and one for a Career Fire Chief. Fire Chief Keven Lefebvre of Leduc County, Alberta; and Fire Chief Paul Boissonneault of Oakville, Ontario each received Career Fire Chief of the Year awards at the same event.
Rick and his wife Joanne Elder (who is also a long-serving member of Dalmeny Fire Rescue), travelled to Montreal for the awards ceremony. Rick and Joanne Elder have both received numerous awards for their service with Dalmeny Fire Rescue over the decades; and their supportive teamwork has been an inspiration to their colleagues.
In presenting the award, CAFC officials said Elder has “made a significant impact on not only Dalmeny Fire Rescue and the Town of Dalmeny, but also on larger local and provincial levels through his unmatched commitment to Dalmeny Fire Rescue and the community it serves.”
The CAFC went on to say: “Chief Elder started with the Dalmeny Fire Department in 1990, rising through the ranks to become Fire Chief in 1997. In his 34 years on the department, he has managed to take a small department of only a few members, in an outdated hall with minimal equipment and transform it into a modern, professional department with strict training and professional standards, EMS, and advanced equipment and techniques.”
Elder has also been instrumental in the creation and development of a number of committees and associations including the North Corman Park Fire Chiefs Association, and the Highway 16 Fire Commission. These groups have led to mutual aid agreements, shared resources and a fire school which trains new members of each department.
“Chief Elder has made all of these improvements at great personal expense- he spent 40+ hours a week working on improving and maintaining the department (before becoming a part -time Chief only a few years ago, after which the hours he dedicated grew even more). This dedication has raised not only the standards in Dalmeny, but also the surrounding communities as well.”
In making the announcement on its official CAFC website, the national association commented on Elder’s recent ongoing health challenges, which until now have not been widely known.
“In April of 2023, Chief Elder was diagnosed with a large brain tumor at the base of his cerebellum which wrapped down his brainstem (which may be linked to his career in the Fire Service),” stated the CAFC. “He went through brain surgery to have the tumor removed, and while the tumor was removed successfully, Chief Elder was in a coma for over three months, and now faces significant rehabilitation.”
Dalmeny Interim Fire Chief Tom Moody, said Elder is currently “on leave” during his recovery process, and added everyone is looking forward to his return to the post.
Moody said the CAFC award highlights what the members of Dalmeny Fire Rescue have known for years.
“We always considered Rick to be an exceptional fire chief,” said Moody. “But you don’t have that perspective country-wide. This award highlights the fact that he’s one of the most exceptional fire chiefs in Canada. He really deserves this honour, We almost lost Rick a year ago, and we’re all very fortunate to have him around and on the road to recovery.”
Moody added the past and present members of Dalmeny Fire Rescue are honoured to have been led by Chief Elder.
Martensville Fire Chief Dean Brooman was pleased to hear Elder was honoured with the award.
“I can’t think of a more deserving fire chief in Canada than Rick,” said Brooman. “His dedication, commitment and level of professionalism is unsurpassed. He’s been an awesome mentor for our area. It couldn’t go to a better brother.”
The CAFC is an independent, non-profit organization. They represent about 3,500 fire departments across the country, according to the organization website. The CAFC was founded in 1909.