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Fernie man receives federal fire service medal

Kim Sedrovic is retiring from Fernie Fire Rescue after 25 years with the service
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Fernie Fire Chief Ted Ruiter, firefighter Kim Sedrovic and Mayor Ange Qualizza. Kimberley Vlasic/The Free Press

Every man and woman who has passed through Fernie Fire Hall over the past 25 years will remember Kim Sedrovic.

The Fernie Wilderness Adventures owner has mentored many local firefighters since joining Fernie Fire Rescue as an auxiliary firefighter on October 24, 1993.

At the November 26 regular meeting, Sedrovic was presented with a Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal before the new Fernie council.

The federal medal honours members of a recognized Canadian fire service who have completed 20 years of service, 10 of which have been served in the performance of duties involving potential risks.

“For 25 years, Kim has dedicated thousands of hours to helping people in our community, whether it was just flipping a patty at hamburger days or a rescue on the river or from a mangled car,” said Assistant Fire Chief Brendan Morgan.

“I’d like to take a moment on behalf of Fernie Fire Association to thank Kim for his decades of service as a paid and qualified fire and first responder.

“Kim was an exemplary firefighter who was a mentor to all auxiliary firefighters. I, like so many others, learned from Kim how to respond to an emergency with professionalism and a calm sense of urgency.

“(To) his patient and loving wife, Deb, who for 25 years has had to be woken up by the sound of a pager going off 1 a.m., 2 a.m., 3 a.m. … thank you.”

Sedrovic was presented with a commemorative axe by Morgan and the federal medal by Fire Chief Ted Ruiter.

He also announced his retirement at the meeting.

Ruiter thanked Sedrovic for his years of service.

“Your dedication, passion and commitment to the fire service is something to be proud of,” he said.

Sedrovic credited his success to always listening to the radios to “get the jump” on other emergency services and ensure he was first on the scene.

He took the opportunity to emphasize the importance of local firefighters.

“I hope you guys just realize what kind of people we have here because you have some of the best rescuers,” he said, addressing the new council.