Miami Fire & Rescue members were thrilled when they recently received the 2024 RM of Thompson Volunteer Award. Deputy Chief Travis Reichert expressed the department’s gratitude, stating, “With a staff of almost 30 members between Fire and EMR, unfortunately not everyone was able to make it to the ceremony, but we are all equally grateful for the support we receive from this great community.”
The prestigious award was presented to the team in recognition of their dedicated service. Reichert added that the plaque they received will hang proudly in the firehall as a reminder of the community’s trust and appreciation.
“We are happy to serve, and we are thankful for each and every one of you,” said Reichert.
The award recipients were chosen by council. Although there are no specific criteria for receiving the honour, Reichert speculated that it might be related to the significant incident that occurred in Miami in October 2024.
“The fire began in one house and quickly moved to another. It was quite the night. The call came late in the day, and we were there until about 4 a.m. We had 80 km an hour winds to deal with, and most of our members were there. Roland Fire and Carman-Dufferin Fire also responded, as part of our mutual aid district. There was significant damage to the houses, a garage, and a camper, but they were not a complete loss. Thankfully, there were no injuries during the incident, and all the homeowners, everybody, got out safely. So, that was good,” Reichert recounted.
Fortunately, the department was well-prepared for this incident. Most members of Miami Fire & Rescue hold Level 1 Fire Fighting certification and First Aid training.
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“We’re continually training throughout the year. We always have members going for different training, such as vehicle extrication and pump basics,” Reichert explained.
The longest-serving members, Kelly Andrews and Doug Orchard, have been with the team for over 30 years. As part of their succession plan, Miami Fire & Rescue aims to recruit a few new members each year.
“Some give it a try and it doesn’t work out, but it’s okay if it’s not their thing,” Reichert said. “We’ll keep reaching out.”
In addition to the challenges of balancing work and home life, Reichert mentioned that the toughest part of the job is dealing with calls that don’t end well. “But the best part is having the ability to help the community during times of need,” he added.
The department operates three vehicles: a pumper, a tanker, and a rescue vehicle. They cover Miami, Carman, and areas across the RM of Thompson.
“Most departments have a mutual aid district which covers Roland, Carman, north to Portage, and east to Morris. We’re in the southwest corner, and we average about 25-30 calls a year,” Reichert noted.
Being an integral part of the community is a priority for Miami Fire & Rescue.
“Public education is a pretty big deal for us. We get involved in the schools, talking to the kids. Rosebank Colony had a big fire safety day last spring, with over 200 kids. We brought the fire and rescue trucks, and the mutual aid burn house, and had two separate areas for displays. We also help at the ag grounds whenever there’s an event like the tractor pull or the mud bog going on there. We enjoy being an active and visible presence in the community,” said Reichert.
He emphasized their gratitude for the Volunteer Award, stating, “It’s always good to be recognized. It’s not something we as a department are running out looking for by any means, but we definitely appreciate it when the town and council recognizes the effort that the guys put in – all the time for training and meetings, and of course, the calls.”
He added, “We’re not doing this for honours, we’re serving the community. But it’s nice to get a pat on the back, and it’s nice to be appreciated.”
