by Guillaume Laflamme
Campbell’s Bay
May 18, 2024
The Campbell’s Bay Litchfield Fire Department held its annual firefighter’s ball at the Campbell’s Bay Recreation Association on Saturday.
The evening was filled with dancing, live music and drinks as local firefighters and their families came together to celebrate the fire department’s ongoing work for the community.
“It’s a time to give out recognitions for years of service,” said Chief Kevin Kluke, who has served as chief for 26 of the 41 years he has been a firefighter.
The evening started off as planned with local band R.E.W.D. taking the stage for its first set, playing hit classics such as Takin’ Care of Business by Bachman-Turner Overdrive and Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver.
The awards ceremony was scheduled to follow, but a call . . .
to service interrupted the evening’s party and a handful of firefighters suddenly got up from their seats to respond to the fire call.
“We were about to go up and chat and introduce the mayors but they got a fire call, so all the firefighters had to go and do their job,” Channelle Shea, wife to firefighter Martin Shea and emcee for the evening, told THE EQUITY.
Despite the abrupt exit of the firefighters, the party continued on and families danced on to make the most of their time together.
“When you’re married to a firefighter it’s kind of how it goes. You just keep going,” Shea said.
Late night fries, poutine and hamburgers were served by Wayne & Susan’s snack wagon, a 40-year-old catering business run by Wayne and Susan Tubman.
While the awards ceremony was put on pause, Shea told THE EQUITY that Stephanie Hebert Shea and Tyler Shea were set to receive awards for 10 years of service, Gerald Graveline for 20 years, Denis Dubeau for 30 years and Kenneth Lagarde for 35 years.
Chief Kluke was recognized for 40 years of service.
The award ceremony also featured a new junior of the year award in memory of Keith Racine, Maurice Beauregard and Todd Vibert Jr.
Chief Kluke explained that the junior of the year award is given to a firefighter with less than 10 years of experience and is selected through a vote from their peers.
“It’s to encourage the young ones to step up and do more, you know. When their own firefighters vote for them to win it, it means a lot more than the municipality giving them a plaque.”
Awarded this year’s junior of the year award was Natanya Dubeau.
