checks and see the focused faces of the crew as they practice hose lays, ladder drills, search and rescue techniques, and emergency medical response scenarios. These dedicated men and women are our neighbours: farmers, business owners, tradespeople, parents, and retirees. They balance busy lives with the serious responsibility of being ready to answer the call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When the tones drop for a structure fire, a medical emergency, or a vehicle collision on our rural roads, these Union volunteers drop everything — family dinners, work shifts, kids’ activities — to protect our community. Their rigorous weekly training at the Union Fire Hall ensures they respond with skill and confidence when every second counts. Living next door for more than a quarter century has given me a front-row seat to their hard work, professionalism, and strong sense of camaraderie. The Union hall is more than just a fire station; it is a hub of dedication that serves our local area with pride. What has touched me even more deeply over these 26 years is witnessing their kindness, professionalism, and compassion in the most personal moments. There were times when the Union firefighters were there for my own mother and father- in-law during their times of need. In those difficult hours, I saw firsthand how these volunteers responded not only with efficiency and expertise, but with genuine care and humanity. Their calm presence and heartfelt support meant the world to our family. It reminded me that being a volunteer firefighter is about so much more than fighting fires — it’s about being there for your neighbours when it matters most. While I highlight the Union Fire Hall because it is so close to my heart and home, I know the same spirit lives across all four of
our fire halls in Belmont, Port Stanley, Union, and Yarmouth. Together, our more than 100 dedicated volunteer firefighters form the heart of Central Elgin Fire Rescue Services, supported by our full-time Fire Chief and Fire Services Coordinator. Their often unseen work keeps every resident safer and strengthens the bonds that make our community special. National Volunteer Week may have passed, but the appreciation we feel for our volunteers should never fade. This May, as flowers bloom and our community gathers for spring events, I encourage every resident — especially those in the Union area — to take a moment to thank a volunteer. A simple “thank you,” a note of appreciation, or offering to lend a hand can brighten their day and inspire others. To every coach, event organizer, committee member, en- vironmental steward, and especially our brave Union volunteer firefighters and their colleagues across Central Elgin — thank you. You make our municipality not just a place to live, but a place where people truly look out for one another. Your efforts create the strong, resilient, and welcoming community we are all proud to call home. Let us carry the spirit of National Volunteer Week with us throughout the year. Together, by supporting and celebrating our volunteers, we ensure that Central Elgin — and particularly our vibrant Union community — continues to thrive for gen- erations to come. With sincere gratitude, Todd Noble Deputy Mayor Municipality of Central Elgin
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Port Stanley Villager • May 2026 • Page 9
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