ERIN – Deputy fire chief Jim Peavoy was recognized for 50 years of service to the Erin community on Nov. 14, in a room filled with friends, family, council members and fellow firefighters.
Peavoy joined the Hillsburgh and District Fire Department in 1974 following in the footsteps of his father, Lloyd Peavoy, who volunteered from 1965 to 1972.
“Following amalgamation he continued to rise in the ranks and has now served as deputy chief since 2002,” Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott said of Peavoy in his congratulatory speech.
Over five decades, Peavoy has acted as chairman of the Firefighters Association of Hillsburgh for 15 years and has been instrumental in planning for the department’s future, including the construction of Station 50 in Hillsburgh and the procurement of the equipment to keep the community and his firefighters safe, added Arnott.
Peavoy’s Federal Fire Service Exemplary Service Medal and his Provincial Fire Services Long Service Medal have both been updated to show his 50 years of service by adding bars indicating the years.
“I thank you and congratulate you on your extraordinary community service through the [fire department],” said the MPP.
Peavoy got a standing ovation as he accepted his award in the council chamber.
“I try to be a teacher … in the fire service,” said Peavoy at the Nov. 14 meeting.
“We’re very kind to the people we go out to help and assist and that is so important but … it’s very important to be kind to each other.”
He noted how honoured he felt to have his award presented by Arnott, who he has known for 30 years.
Erin firefighters filled the Erin council chamber on Nov. 14 to celebrate five decades of service from deputy fire chief Jim Peavoy, front row, fourth from left. Photo by Georgia York
The beginning
In an interview with the Advertiser, Peavoy reminisced about his earlier days as a volunteer firefighter.
Two firefighters, Jack Graham and Jack Leachman, came to his home in 1973 to see if he was interested in volunteering with the Hillsburgh and District Fire Department.
Peavoy had just gotten married and, on the advice of his father, asked the men to return in a year’s time.
And in 1974 they did.
Throughout his career, Peavoy said he had two mentors: late Hillsburgh Fire Chief Bob Cheyne and late Puslinch Fire Chief Doug Smith.
They were both fine men, they were kind to people, they were always at community functions and they could make some good decisions, he said.
Asked what advice he would give to new firefighters, Peavoy reiterated the importance of being kind, not only to others but to oneself as well.
“I couldn’t have done the 50 years without the support of my wife, Susan … and my two sons, Jamie and Darrell,” he added.
