At a council meeting on Nov. 8, Mayor Mary Giuliano honoured Fernie firefighter Brett Uphill for 20 years of keeping the community safe.
The Fernie native was presented with a 20-year Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal.
The award recognizes fire service members for spending 20 years with the department, ten years of which have been in the performance of duties involving potential risks, explained Fernie Fire Department Chief Ted Ruiter.
Uphill was born in March 1966. He graduated from Fernie Secondary School in 1984 and went on to a post-secondary education to earn the title of electronic technologist, said Giuliano.
He joined the fire department as an auxiliary in 1996 and became a full-time member in 2000. In 2008 he was promoted to lieutenant. Since 2007 he’s been President of the Fernie Professional Firefighters’ Association and in 1998 he won a gold medal at the World Police and Fire Games for powerlifting.