Firefighter Rick Martin named Firefighter of the Month for August

This August the St. Marys Fire Department is proud to announce Rick Martin as its “Firefighter of the Month.”

Martin joined the St. Marys Fire Department as a firefighter in 1992. He has had a challenging but rewarding 30-year career as a firefighter. Martin is the recipient of the 20-year Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal and the 25-year Ontario Fire Services Long Service Medal.

“I followed my dad’s footsteps in becoming a firefighter,” says Martin, “Having grown up in St. Marys, with my dad on the department, the fire department was part of my life even as a kid. Over the 30 years there have been four new fire trucks, two fire chiefs, one new firehall, and more firefighters than I can count. I’ve enjoyed the camaraderie over the past 30 years.”

Martin is married to Andrea, and they have three children, Alicia, Melanie, and Abby. He and Andrea will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary on August 9. Martin is self-employed in the cabinetry business.

Martin was selected as Firefighter of the Month for his 30 years of commitment and devotion to the department.

“It’s critically important that we recognize our firefighters. They are the people who are out there twenty-four-seven, 12 months a year, plus 30 degrees, minus 30 degrees, in the baking sun or driving in the snow to keep us safe,” says Deputy Fire Chief Brent Dundas.

“Being selected ‘Firefighter of the Month’ is an opportunity for our community and the families of our personnel to feel an immense pride for what they do and to be formally recognized for their efforts,” says Fire Chief Richard “Andy” Anderson, “Also, it’s an opportunity to recognize the spouses of our personnel for the support they provide after they get home from managing challenging incidents."

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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