Firefighter Terry Edwards was honoured at Monday’s St. John’s city council meeting for his work during the massive wildfire that destroyed a large swathe of Fort McMurray, Alta., in the spring of 2016 wildfires.
Edwards, 33, was among the firefighters who evacuated citizens, saved structures and faced the inferno head-on.
Edwards, a St. John’s native who works out of the Paradise fire station, says he has many memories of helping people survive the blaze.
“My first call was a pregnant lady in which I was responsible for getting a helicopter lined up to fly her down to Edmonton. I had motor-vehicle accidents, to 5,000 people being dropped off on our doorstep on site, and having to accommodate those folks,” said Edwards.
“On the fifth, myself and a team got dispatched in the city to fight the fire in there.”
Edwards and his wife moved to Fort McMurray 8 ½ years ago. As the fire came under control, Edwards left Fort McMurray to come back to St. John’s, where he quickly got a job with the local fire department.
St. John’s Regional Fire Department Chief Jerry Peach says Edwards missed out on the accolades given to firefighters in Fort McMurray for their heroics. He says Syncrude fire chief Byron Stacey contacted him to make sure Edwards got recognition for his efforts.
“He told me that one of our brightest and newest had helped those folks fight the fire,” said Peach.
“Chief Stacey asked me if I would take some items of recognition on his behalf and set up a time to pass those items of recognition along on their behalf.”
Edwards received a specially designed fire helmet, a print of firefighters working in Fort McMurray and a medal commemorating his service.
Edwards was one of the lucky ones who did not lose his Fort McMurray home in the fires. He says he hasn’t been back to the town, but he hopes to visit again soon.
Peach says he couldn’t be more pleased to have Edwards at his fire department.
“Every firefighter sets the bar high. Terry has set the bar really high. We’re delighted to have him on board,” said Peach.
Edwards says he hopes to never have to face something like the Fort McMurray wildfires here at home, but he is well positioned should any disaster break out.
“Like any other call, you just rely on your training at the time and navigate the emergency as best you can,” said Edwards.
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