Volunteer firefighters serve their communities with dedication and pride

A passion for helping their communities inspires many team members of J.D. Irving, Limited to volunteer for their local fire departments.

This role takes a considerable amount of dedication and time. On top of responding to emergency calls as they come in throughout the week, volunteers must undergo hundreds of hours of training at the outset, then practice weekly as well as attend multiple weekend training opportunities each year.

The following is only a small selection of these dedicated volunteers from across the company, who serve their communities with a sense of duty and pride.

At the Saint Leonard Sawmill in northern New Brunswick, the sawmill’s fire crew boasts six members who also volunteer as firefighters in their home communities.

From left: (back) Jessy Bérubé, Alain Godin (Ste-Anne fire department), Donald St-Amand, (middle) Sandra Martin, Martin Voisine, Luc Clavette and (front) Marcel Therrien.

They include Jessy Bérubé, a trimmer operator, and Alain Godin, a grapple loader operator, who volunteer with the St. Anne Regional Fire Department; Sandra Martin, a labourer, and Eric Pelletier, maintenance supervisor, with the Saint-Leonard Fire Department, and millwrights Luc Clavette and Marcel Therrien who volunteer with the Edmundston Fire Department.

“It’s about belonging to a team with good values, helping people in need and being there for others,” said Marcel, a millwright at the sawmill of 46 years who has been volunteering with the Edmundston Fire Department for 40 years.

The Nauwigewauk Fire Department in southern New Brunswick has three members who work for J.D. Irving, Limited.

Brian Williams, Eddie Dean and David Spray

David Spray, a Woodyard Superintendent at Irving Pulp & Paper, has volunteered for the department for 16 years. As he lives next door to the fire hall, David is usually first to the station when a call comes in. Brian Williams, a Harvesting Process Owner with the Woodlands Division, was inspired to join the department 14 years ago by his brother. Eddie Dean, a Product Manager with Kent Building Supplies, joined the fire department six months ago.

“It’s a welcoming group of people with the same values,” Brian said. “Every time I come to (the fire hall) I learn something new.”

“It feels really good when you can get out there and actually make a difference,” David added.