Firefighting is one of only five occupations that the International Agency of Research on Cancer has labelled with its most severe cancer warning. Firefighters have seen a change in how seriously their peers consider this risk, but they’re calling on the government for more resources to better protect themselves and for more comprehensive health coverage should they get sick.
Long serving Muskoday Volunteer Fire Department (MVFD) and Saskatchewan First Nation Emergency Management (SFNEM) member Randy Bair is being remembered this upcoming weekend in Melfort.
The SFNEM are gathering on July 31 at the Kerry Vickar Centre to honour Randy’s legacy with their organizations.
Bair passed away in January after a short battle with cancer but his legacy lives on, associate director for Saskatchewan First Nation Emergency Management, Michelle Vandevord, told
northeastNOW. She saw this passion firsthand, she said, as Randy used his nearly 30 years of experience as a firefighter to go into schools to talk about fire prevention.
“(Randy) spread that around provincially to First Nation communities and you can see the passion that Randy had for that when he was in the classroom. And I was very fortunate that, you know, he brought me up and trained and put that passion and instilled it with me as well.”
First Nations mourning longtime firefighter
Local First Nations are mourning the loss of Capt. Randy Bair.
Bair, a longtime firefighter from Muskoday First Nation and a Protective Officer with Saskatchewan First Nation Emergency Management (SFNEM) passed away late last week after a battle with cancer.
In a media release Muskoday First Nation Chief Herman Crain gave his condolences to Bair’s family along with those who cared for him in his final days. Crain said Bair was a close friend and fellow firefighter, Crain added Bair will be remembered.
“We will remember him as a hero and mentor in his role responding to emergency situations, many times putting his life on the line and helping our members in dire situations,” said Crain.