Over 200 volunteer firefighters from across the province gathered at the Sportsplex here last weekend for the Fire Fighters Association of Ontario’s (FFAO) annual convention and trade show.
“The weekend was very successful … everything went very well,” said FFAO past president John Scheeringa.
About a dozen FFAO members took part in a bus extrication training course at the Fergus fire hall (see related article on page 14) on Aug. 2 before the convention officially kicked off that evening.
Many firefighters attended a social event that featured a hospitality suite, where they raised money for Camp Bucko, a summer retreat for children recovering from burn injuries.
Donations continued to come in throughout the weekend for Camp Bucko, thanks to many firefighters who camped out at the Sportsplex grounds, Scheeringa added.
On Aug. 3 the event continued with the annual general meeting, an election of a new executive (including new president Dave Carruthers of Stayner) and a firefighters ambassador contest.
Brittany Lenselink of the Palmerston area won the title of FFAO Ambassador for 2013-14. Katelyn Poersch of Wellington North was the first runner up.
Pelham Fire Department Chief Robert Lymburner was also recognized at the convention with a medal of merit for rescuing a 5-year-old girl from a dog attack.
The morning of Aug. 4 kicked off in sombre fashion, as FFAO attendees paid tribute to their fallen comrades with a memorial parade around the Sportsplex grounds.
“It was a great memorial parade,” said Scheeringa, adding firefighters laid wreaths during the ceremonial march in memory of the dozen or so Ontario volunteer firefighters who have passed away over the past 12 months.
In the afternoon of Aug. 4 the convention hosted various water games for teams of firefighters (see coverage on page 18). Scheeringa said the games, which were not held at the 2012 Fergus convention due to a water ban last year, were well attended and everyone seemed to have a great time.
Throughout Aug. 3 and 4 the convention also featured a trade show at the Sportsplex.
