Stevensville salutes the families and firefighters who keep it safe

It takes a village to maintain a volunteer fire service.

As Station 5 in Stevensville celebrated its 100th anniversary on Saturday, speakers reminded the audience that it’s not just the firefighters who are sacrificing to keep the community safe.

“Every time a firefighter responds to a call in Fort Erie, that person is a volunteer,” said Mayor Wayne Redekop. “And they can’t do that without the support of their family and their neighbours.”

The Stevensville station grew from humble beginnings a hundred years ago. After a series of fires in the area, the community saw the need to do something. Thus was born what was originally called the Stevensville Fire Brigade.

It was a fairly primitive setup early on, essentially a cart that was pulled by horses, with a tank, hose, a couple ladders and other equipment, Redekop said.

In time the brigade would acquire a fire truck that was stationed at the old library, eventually being renamed from brigade to department and amalgamating with Bertie Township.

Construction on the current building took place in the early 1950s, with a major addition being built in 2000.

Today, district chief Jeff Brunning said they have 19 volunteers and are always looking for more. The volunteers and their families are dedicated to Stevensville, he said.

“It’s a sense of community, involvement and pride,” he said.

MPP Wayne Gates noted the number of young people who are volunteer firefighters in Stevensville. With young families and other responsibilities, he said it’s a tall task to be a volunteer firefighter.

He also pointed out the support provided by spouses and thanked the retired volunteers for their service.

“It’s a heck of a commitment,” Gates said, adding everyone has either needed the help of a firefighter or knows someone who has needed that help at some point.

MP Fred Davies agreed. With a son who’s a firefighter, the politician said he was at the anniversary event more as a father than a dignitary. He said he never felt so much pride as when his son entered the service.

“You make a sacrifice that few people really understand,” he said.

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