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The Times Advocate, 2005-10-05, Page 43Wednesday,October 5, 2005 Exeter Times—Advocate 11 op 3(61°3 Tribute to our FIREFIIGHTERS From left, Dave Atthill, Shannon Hrudka, Aaron Datars, Chad Arnold, Kevin Dunlop, Rob Damen, Brad Ankers, Kevin Glavin and Everett Smith are making access for patient removal for the paramedics.This was just one of many exer- cises practiced recently.The two day course brought together about 30 firefight- ers from South Huron. Ken Jones from Owen Sound instructed the sessions.The objective of the course was to stress safety, incident management and teamwork technique.The South Huron Fire Departments would like to thank Bob VanValkengoed of Advanced Auto Parts in Crediton for supplying the location and the cars. (photo/Nina Van Lieshout) Deputy Chief of the Biddulph-Blanshard Fire Department Andy Sharpe shows the kindergarten class at South Perth Centennial School his firefighter gear. The department spoke to the kinder- garten, Grade 1 and Grade 4 classes this spring. so Gam© The women's team from the Biddulph- Blanshard Fire Department brought home first place in the water ball event last month at the Perth County Firemen's Water Games Competition. Back left, Cathy Bilyea, Lori Aurther, Kim Sharpe, front left, Nancy Westman, Jody Stone and Dana Donley. The Biddulph- Blanshard Fire Department took part in a ladder race at the Perth County Firemen's Water Games Competition in Granton last month. Firemen from left, Moe Watson, Martin Burford, Josh Lambourne, Barry Stone, Rob Donley and Peter Westman. (photos/submitted) Changes witnessed by Huron Park firefighter By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF "I've always enjoyed tak- ing more training and hopefully pass- ing it on to oth- ers," says Huron Park firefighter Norm Hyde, who joined the department in 1969. When Hyde joined, the department had one truck with six full time fire- fighters and 11 volunteers. Hyde had just moved from Ridgetown and was working at Centralia College when he was approached to join the Huron Industrial Park fire department. His first call was a fire in Huron Park with three fatalities, described by Hyde as a "make it or break it," call. In 1975, the department became the Centralia vil- lage Fire Department. Hyde was chief of the department from 1977 to 1990. Since he started, Hyde says he has seen changes in both equipment and training. The equipment is better, according to Hyde, who said used gas trucks were used as tankers, but new equipment is pur- chased now. Motor vehicle accidents weren't something fire departments responded to for the first part of Hyde's career. "When the sirens went it was a fire...all you had was smoke and flame." Training is more techni- cal now, according to Hyde, who says it was just "ladders and hoses...and burning buildings, we did- n't know what chemicals were in them." Hyde also attended the first extrication course in Gravenhurst in 1979, although the Fire Marshalls office didn't have anyone to do the training and a company was brought in from the United States. Norm Hyde At that time, getting into automobiles was done with manuel tools which are all motorized now. Hyde says extrication have changed over the years, with cars equipped with items such as air bags that pose more chal- lenges to firefighters. One of the fires that stands out was the McCurdy Public School building in December 2003 as well as an explo- sion at a company that was refurbishing tank cars. With two workers inside, the explosion blew a hole the size of a car in a hang- er, although the workers weren't killed. Hyde himself was never injured and had no close calls. He is a Master Facilitator for assessing the training of other firefighters and makes quite a few of the calls the department attends. "I wouldn't be doing it without job satisfaction. I've enjoyed passing on the knowledge," says Hyde. •TRIBUTES •TRIBUTES •TRIBUTES Our dad John Robinson, deputy chief of Huron Park is always there to help and save people. I remember when we would be on our way to a ball game and the pager would go off. My dad, me, my brother and uncle went to the fire together and dad went off and did what he did for the fire and assured us he would be okay. Dad always runs for the door as soon as the tones go off. He loves it and hopefully I will too. I am a probation firefighter and one night tones went off and dad ran out the door not even thinking of me and I didn't make it to the fire. What I can remember most about my dad, John Robinson, Deputy Chief of Huron Park Firefighters is we would always stay up late listening to the pager and if we could figure out where the fire was we would drive by to catch our dad, our hero in action. My dad is very dedicated to being a volunteer firefighter and we are all very proud of him. LOVE ALL OF YOUR FAMILY Hello, my name is Jordon Robinson, I am 8 months old and I would like to share what I know about one special firefighter in my life, my grandpa. His name is John Robinson and he is the deputy chief of the Huron Park Fire Department. My daddy told me a story about how a couple of years ago, Santa Claus had to come to their house late because the public school in Huron Park had been set on fire. Daddy even said Grandpa missed turkey dinner. Wow grandpa missed dinner, that's shocker!! I just wanted to let my grandpa know that he is my hero and I hope that when I grow up I can be as brave as he is. We all love you grandpa. P.S. Soon I will be old enough to play with the lights and horn on the big red truck. der - MUNICIPALITY OF BLUEWATER BAYFIELD - HAY - HENSALL - STANLEY - ZURICH 2001 In appreciation of your dedication & hard work