Firefighter Chad Petrie named Firefighter of the Month for February

This February the St. Marys Fire Department is honoring Firefighter Chad Petrie as its “Firefighter of the Month”.

Petrie became a firefighter in 2018. He came to the department with his Level II Firefighter certification. He has had to continually upgrade his education, obtaining his Ice Water Rescue Operations and Advanced Extrication certification.

As far back as he could recall, Petrie knew he was destined to become a firefighter.

Petrie’s role is affectionately referred to as utility player since he rotates between the pumper, ladder, tanker and rescue truck assignments. His skillset, versatility, and positive attitude make him a valued member of the St. Marys Fire Department family.

Born and raised in St. Marys, Petrie resides here with his girlfriend Shania and their four-month-old son Dax. He is employed at the St. Marys Cement Plant. Petrie is a referee with various leagues under the hockey Canada umbrella, most notably SR WOAA.

“Being a referee and a firefighter have many similarities,” said Petrie. “As referees I think we recognize that having a great game is not only based on our physical performance, but also on our mental performance. Just like being a firefighter, if we fail to properly think and react, we can lose control of a situation, despite how good we perform physically.”  

Petrie was selected as Firefighter of the Month for his hard work and dedication. A firefighter’s actions can speak louder than words, but according to Petrie, sometimes their words leave the most significant impact:

“When we arrive on scene a lot of people are not having a great day, so telling someone ‘Hey, it’s okay, you’re in good hands,’ that brief connection, that little moment of empathy, might be what helps someone pull through. That’s a huge responsibility, but it’s also more than that - It’s an honor.”

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For media inquiries:
Richard “Andy” Anderson, Director of Emergency Services/Fire Chief
519-284-2340, ext. 201 | randerson@town.stmarys.on.ca