Brett Thoms
Mansfield-et-Pontefrac October 30, 2022
The Mansfield-et-Pontefract Fire Department held its 40th anniversary celebration on Sunday afternoon. While technically the 40th anniversary was 2 years ago, with the founding date being in 1980, covid had delayed it until now.
During the celebration three founding members of the fire department, Leonard Laroche, Darcy Belair and Larry Pleau were honoured.
The fire chief, Patrick Bertrand hosted the ceremony, with the mayor of Mansfield-et-Pontefract Sandra Armstrong and MRC Warden Jane Toller being given a chance to give remarks.
The event was attended by fighters from Mansfield, Campbell’s Bay, Waltham and Shawville, as well many family members of the firefighters.
A plaque affixed to the front of the firehouse listing every member who served the Mansfield-Pontefract Fire Department for the last three years was unveiled to the three men being honoured.
They also received medallions commemorating their services.
There was also a moment of silence for the past service members who had passed away followed by a reading of all the names of every fire fighter to serve with the department.
During his remarks Bertrand also spoke about the history of how emergency calls were communicated to firefighters, which originally served by a party line connected to 12 firefighters homes along with a direct link to the station’s fire horn. As time went on, more modern tools like pagers and cell phones took the place of the old system.
Bertrand emphasized the sense of camaraderie and teamwork that comes with serving in the fire department.
He also announced that the Mansfield-et-Pontefract Fire department would soon receive a new fire truck as early as the end of November if everything works out.
The event concluded with a lunch for the attending firefighters and their families.
