July 8, 2013
The Surrey Fire Fighters celebrated their 56th anniversary this month with their annual Barbecue and Peer Awards.
The most prestigious honour is the “Red Powell Award” which goes to the fire fighters’, FIRE FIGHTER. The recipient of this award exemplifies the qualities of a conscientious and dedicated fire fighter. Whether on duty or off duty, this fire fighter upholds the standards of our profession, reflects credit upon the fire service and promotes goodwill among all members. The Red Powell recipient is a member with a minimum of twenty years of service. They will have contributed to not only the betterment of the Surrey Fire Service, but also to the people in the community which we serve. All Surrey Fire Fighters are proud of them as a member and they are proud to be a member.
Surrey Fire Fighters’ President Mike McNamara stated “The award this year was presented to Captain Lloyd Lees from Fire Station No. 17. Lloyd has always been a leader both on and off duty and we are very proud of his achievements.”
“The Red Powell Award was named after one of Surrey’s first professional fire fighters. Red Powell was a leader, a pioneer for fire fighting in Surrey and a community activist” said McNamara. This award is the fire service equivalent to Police Officer of the Year.
The Lorne West Silver Axe Award is the second highest peer award given out annually. This award goes to members with a minimum of 10 years of service who have demonstrated a conscientious effort to uphold the standard of professionalism, reflect credit upon the fire service both on and off duty, and promote goodwill among all members. This year’s winners are Captains Ryan Smith from Station 5 with 25 years of service and Wes Eaton from the Emergency Fire Safety Inspection Team with 25 years of service as well.
This Lorne West Silver Axe Award is named in honour of retired Battalion Chief Lorne West. Lorne was long time President of the Surrey Fire Fighters Association and current 6th District Vice President of the IAFF.
McNamara commented, “Recognizing the outstanding work of your peers on an annual basis is a way of saying thank you to those that make a significant contribution to our fire department and our city. We have many community minded leaders who are excellent role models and provide mentorship to the new and younger fire fighters”.
For more information call Mike McNamara, 604.551.2631, President of the Surrey Fire Fighters Association.
RED POWELL AWARD – CAPTAIN LLOYD LEES
Lloyd has been a Surrey Fire Fighters for 25 years. Over that time he has had a positive impact on the betterment of Local 1271 on and off duty. He has been active with the local as a Hall Rep, Finance Committee member, Trustee, Surrey Leader Awards Liaison and he has been working on the retirement committee for many years. He has spent time in the training branch and Fire Prevention division over his career and has always maintained a very high standard of professionalism no matter which division he has been a part of. This member embodies what it means to be dedicated, conscientious and professional. Please join me in congratulating Lloyd Lees as this year’s winner of the Red Powell Award.
LORNE WEST SILVER AXE AWARD – CAPTAIN RYAN SMITH
Captain Ryan Smith has also been a member for 25 years. His impact over the years has definitely been in the signage department. He has been providing artwork and signage for the local and for several of the programs of the Surrey Fire Fighters Charitable Society. This member has made a significant impact on the local by leading his crew at Station 5 with the restoration of our historical fire trucks, a fleet that has never looked better. Earlier in his career he was also a member of the infamous Local 1271 Boy Band, the Pump Crew. Please join me in congratulating Ryan Smith as a 2013 recipient of the Lorne West Axe Award.
LORNE WEST SILVER AXE AWARD – CAPTAIN WES EATON
Wes is the third member from the hiring class of 1988 being honored in 2013. He has also been with the local for 25 years and is currently a Captain in the EFSIT division. For 
all of those 25 years this member has been counted on when it came to one of the greatest traditions in the fire service, the bag pipes! Whenever the local has needed a piper for a celebration or a service, this member was ready to step up and he did. Over the last few years he has also been very active in the advancement of the SFFCS with the Payroll Deduction program and most recently with the Leave a Legacy program. Whether it has been supporting the local or the SFFCS this member has made a positive difference for all Surrey Fire Fighters. Please join me in congratulating Wes Eaton as a 2013 recipient of the Lorne West Axe Award.
