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Veteran Tofino firefighter honoured for service

McGinnis earns Volunteer Recognition Award
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Tofino’s top firefighter Billy McGinnis. - Nora O’Malley Photo

Billy McGinnis has received a Volunteer Recognition Award from Tofino’s mayor and council.

McGinnis, a 15-year veteran of the Tofino Volunteer Fire Department (TVFD), was recently hailed by mayor Josie Osborne as being a great leader in the community.

“On behalf of all of us we want to say thank you,” mayor Osborne said as she handed McGinnis, the town’s current deputy chief, his award at the start of the Aug. 27 council meeting.

Tofino’s fire chief Brent Baker said McGinnis has supported just about everyone in the community in one way or another.

“I’m really happy that he had the opportunity to receive that acknowledgement today. He brings a lot to everything that we do as a team and I don’t know where we would be without his participation,” said Baker.

Tofino’s volunteer recognition program receives nominations from the public, which are then reviewed by a committee and put forward for council’s endorsement. Osborne revealed that it was someone within Tofino’s fire department who put forward the nomination for McGinnis.

McGinnis was a bit speechless directly after receiving his volunteer recognition award.

“I just wish my mom was here to see me get this,” he said.

He penned a note to the Westerly a couple days later.

“I was very surprised and honoured to receive this award of recognition. I would like to say thank you to the person who nominated me, I hope I can continue to make you proud with my actions,” wrote McGinnis.

“Thank you to the wonderful crew at the TVFD, Karl Hanson and Krysta Stafford, the two that originally made me a part of the TVFD, and of course my mom,” he wrote.