OLDS — Fire Chief Justin Andrew has received an award for 25 years of service to residents of Olds and Mountain View County.
To commemorate that milestone, representatives of the Olds Fire Department and town council presented Andrew with a bronze axe during a ceremony on Oct. 13.
Andrew started his career with the fire department in October 1996 as a recruit and rose steadily through the ranks from volunteer firefighter to lieutenant, then training officer before being named fire chief in 2018.
“For 25 years, keeping people safe has been a profession and passion for fire Chief Justin Andrew,” a town news release said.
“The Olds Fire Department is extremely fortunate to have members such as Chief Andrew who continue to provide exemplary professional service to the public.”
Andrew said in the release: “It has been an honour and privilege to serve the community alongside many dedicated men and women past and present.”
He added that he is grateful to the fire department for providing the training and opportunities that assisted him in his career path.
Andrew also thanked his wife and family for their support over that time, as well as all the other spouses of department members, noting their sacrifices are not often recognized but are crucial in order for the service to be successful.