The Jack Graham Community Centre was bumping on Saturday night for the Bristol Firemen’s Ball, where two longtime firefighters were honoured for their service.

Attendees took a break from grooving on the dance floor to listen to Bristol fire chief Kevin Kluke introduce two long-serving members of his department: Brian Kelly, who is celebrating 35 years of service, and Brian Tubman, who is celebrating 45 years. 

“I’ve known them since I’ve been here,” Kluke said in an interview about the two men, adding that he’s been with the department for 14 years. 

“John, if we call him because we need an experienced truck driver, he’s there. And Brian is there a lot more now because he doesn’t milk cows anymore, and he’s been the secretary for the fire department as long as I’ve been there.” 

Then, Bristol councillor Nancy Crain also gave a speech thanking the two men for their sacrifices. Both men received dedicated service plaques from the municipality, although Kelly was absent for the evening’s festivities.

Mayor Valerie Twolan-Graham was also unable to attend. 

Kluke said the department has been fundraising for some purchases related to the new fire hall addition, such as furniture. He said the extension has permitted the department to have more room to maneuver inside the hall. 

“It used to be real tight in there. Now we can fit four trucks and the boat,” he said, adding that the department is also fundraising for its Jaws of Life program. 

Around this time last year, Bristol firefighters were responding to forest fires that had ignited due to dry conditions in the Pontiac. Kluke said that bush fire season has been relatively quiet thanks to some extended wet weather that has kept brush wet. 

“Hopefully that continues,” he said.