Three men from St. Pierre with a combined 65 years of service on the St. Pierre Fire Department have been recognized for their many years of dedication.

Rene Frechette, Alain Robidoux, and Stephane Boulet were presented with a certificate along with a medal from the Governor General of Canada to commend them for the service to their community. Paul Gauthier, a councilor for the Village of St. Pierre, says Boulet and Robidoux actually served as Fire Chiefs together during their 20 years of service and are now retired from the fire department. Gauthier adds Frechette is going on 25 years and still serves as Fire Captain. Gauthier says joining the fire department is a big commitment.

"Exactly, dedication and time and it’s also, for the spouses, girlfriends or boyfriends that are left behind, on that aspect they’re always worrying so it takes a tough breed to be able to get out there and as you know in Manitoba we have some cold conditions in winter and the fire doesn’t stop for cold right, it still goes."

Gauthier notes they are thankful to have such great people in their community who gave so many years of their lives to help others.

"I know Alain Robidoux has been also a long time board member of our local community arena and hall. He’s got over 20 years into that and he’s retiring also this year. Stephane Boulet, I don't know if you’ve heard but the army cadets are coming to St. Pierre and he’s one of the organizers and members of the cadet program so dedication from volunteers for sure. Rene Frechette is also involved, he was involved in our emergency measures organization he was one of our co-coordinators."

Gauthier Says in a small community you need a lot of volunteers and it’s nice to see some of these people stepping up for such a long period of time.