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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-11-07, Page 9THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2013. PAGE 9. For 52 years Jim Howson has been standing between Blyth, Wingham, Belgrave and all of North Huron and the fires that would threaten it. Howson, who started in Blyth, moved to Wingham and eventually ended up in Bayfield where he lives, joined the Blyth Fire Department in 1961 on his 21st birthday. “You weren’t allowed to join before that,” he said. “Worker’s [Compensation] wouldn’t allow it.” He said he got involved with the organization because he took pleasure in the idea of fighting fires and serving the community. There were no close friends or family involved with the fire department. “I really enjoyed doing the job,” he said. “The camaraderie was always unbelievable. Firefighters are just one step beyond friends. You protect each others’ lives. It’s a really close- knit group of friends.” Howson said his firefighting family was like any other in that there were problems, disagreements and even quarrels, but when the time came, they always were there for each other to make sure everyone came home after a fire. Howson worked his way through the ranks to eventually become deputy-chief more than 20 years ago. He left the position when he moved out of the area but stayed on with the department as he was at work every day in Blyth. Howson has plenty of tales to tell about his time with the fire department, but said picking and choosing any one over the others based on experience was difficult. He says he has so many stories it’s hard to identify one as more momentous than another. He was able to say, however, one of his scariest moments happened during a blaze at a grocery store in Wingham. “That was definitely the worst,” he said. “We were called in to help in Wingham. There was a grocery store there, across from Burke Electric.” Howson said he was on the second floor of the building when the floor started to give way and, within seconds, he found himself sitting in a windowsill facing a two-storey fall to the ground outside or a three- storey fall to the basement inside. “I had to walk back on the hose to get to solid floor,” he said. “It was definitely a scary experience.” Despite the close calls and terrifying experiences, Howson stayed on for 50 years, an unheard- of feat according to the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office, for the same reason he and the majority of other firefighters join. “Most people do it for the good of the community,” he said. “That’s why I’ve kept doing it.” Helping the community, however, doesn’t require running into burning buildings according to Howson. “Any time someone wants to do something for their community, it’s worthwhile,” he said. “The Lions Club, the Kinsmen, any community group offers the chance to make a difference.” Being a part of the fire department for the last half century has been educational for Howson, especially before emergency medical technicians (EMT) arrived on the scene. “We don’t do nearly as many medical calls as we used to before EMTs showed up,” he said. “It was a real learning experience. You would pull into a neighbour’s home and they would be having a heart attack or choking or some other problem and you learned pretty fast how to help them.” The reduction in medical calls isn’t the only notable change Howson has experienced in his five decades of experience. “We do a lot more than just straight firefighting, but that could be because there are a lot less places for fires to start,” he said. “Fifty-two years ago there would be five farms for a block. There were more people so there was more chances of a fire. Now you can go five blocks and you might only see one farmstead.” Training has increased, both prior to becoming a firefighter and after the fact to continue to upgrade skills and safety equipment has improved Howson honoured for 52 years as firefighter Fifty-two firefighting years During a recent celebration of Fire Department of North Huron personnel, Jim Howson retired after an unheard of 52 years battling blazes. Howson received many awards that evening including service medals which he is shown above receiving from North Huron Reeve Neil Vincent, left. (Denny Scott photo) Spooky Spirit Day Maitland River Elementary School held its orange and black Spirit Day on Oct. 31 last week and students did their best to channel Halloween energies. Shown trying to be as scary as possible are, from left, Regan McMichael, Sierra Train, Makenna Hunter and Nathan Deans. (Denny Scott photo) Ted Doherty Director of Education Registration packages are now Registration packages are now available for pick up at your local available for pick up at your local school. Call your local school to school. Call your local school to make an appointment.make an appointment. Friday Morning, November 15 Clinton Public School - Call 519-482-9424 Monday Morning, November 18 Hullett Central Public School - Call 519-523-4201 Tuesday Morning, November 19 Maitland River Elementary - Call 519-357-3551 Thursday Morning, November 21 Brookside Public School - Call 519-529-7900 Monday Morning, November 25 Howick CPS - Call 519-335-3566 Tuesday Morning, November 26 North Woods Elementary - Call 519-887-6601 i AM education Kindergarten Registration Avon Maitland Schools Colleen Schenk Chair Children 3 years old by December 31, 2013 are eligible for JK in September 2014 Children 4 years old by December 31, 2013, are eligible for SK in September 2014 yourschools.cayourschools.ca PUBLIC NOTICE NO OVERNIGHT PARKING Overnight parking is prohibited on any municipal road or street within the Municipality of Central Huron from November 15, 2013 to April 1, 2014 between the hours of 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Any vehicle found to be in violation will be ticketed and/or towed. Bruce Brockelbank, MLEO Bylaw Enforcement Officer Municipality of Central Huron By Denny Scott The Citizen Continued on page 11