On Friday, November 8, the Ville de Rigaud honored three of its firefighters by awarding them the Distinguished Service Medal from the Governor General of Canada. This distinction honors members of a fire safety department with 20 years' service, including 10 years in risk-taking duties.

Lieutenant Joé St-Denis, firefighter Patrick Clément and retired firefighter Robert Steinhaeusser were the recipients of this prestigious recognition. The three firefighters received their medals at the Rigaud fire station, in the presence of colleagues, family members, Mayor Marie-Claude Frigault and elected officials.

The Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal was created in 1985 to honour members of a Canadian fire service who have accumulated 20 years of service, including 10 years in a hazardous duty. The medal features a Maltese cross on which rests a maple leaf featuring a fire hydrant and crossed axes, surrounded by the inscription distinguished services. The Royal Cypher is engraved on the reverse. The medal hangs from a ribbon with five equal stripes, two gold and three red. If the career spans a longer period, a bar is awarded, in addition to the medal, for each additional 10 years of service.

“I feel privileged to be here this evening for this important recognition ceremony. What a wonderful testimony to see you all surrounded by your colleagues, friends, family members and elected representatives, who wish to pay tribute to your 20 years of service. The medals awarded to you today are an opportunity for us to highlight your dedication, your contribution and your courage in carrying out your duties. Behind each of these medals lies the story of a career marked by your commitment to public service, often at the risk of your life. Over the past 20 years, our community has not been spared from many hazards. I'm thinking of the many building fires, floods, recent tornadoes and torrential rains, as well as nautical and medical interventions. I'm also thinking of the many prevention and awareness-raising activities in which you take part every year, aimed at minimizing our human and material losses, whether through prevention visits to homes, open houses at the fire station, impaired driving awareness sessions at Collège Bourget, or your involvement with young people at day camp. The members of our community can be proud and reassured to be able to count on such a dedicated and competent team to ensure their safety. Patrick, Joé and Robert, I'd like to congratulate you on this achievement. You are an inspiration and an example for the younger generations to follow,” Ms. Frigault shared with the recipients and members of the fire safety team at the ceremony.

At the ceremony, department manager Guillaume Roy also thanked his team members and their respective families for their sacrifices.

"Tonight, we not only recognize your achievements, we celebrate the humanity behind the uniform, the determination that drives you to respond present, day and night, for the safety of others. Tonight, we recognize the families and children of these three firefighters, who grow up enduring the involuntary absences of these formidable fathers. Tonight, we recognize the sacrifice of your wives, who, through their patience and kindness, have accepted and shared a very large part of their marriage so that Patrick, Joé and Robert can respond to calls, training sessions and association activities. Allow me, on behalf of everyone here, to express our most sincere gratitude. Your dedication inspires not only those who serve alongside you, but also the members of our community who, thanks to you, feel safer every day. We raise our glasses to your health, your bravery, and to many more years of service and fellowship. You deserve this recognition and so much more. Thank you, and thank you to all those who continue to uphold the values of our profession. Simply thank you, guys!"

During the evening, the Director also took the opportunity to recognize the years of Christian-Olivier Julien (10 years), Jean-Pierre Laperle (10 years), Marc-Olivier Legault (10 years) and Christopher Tinkler (5 years). Since July 2002 and as of November 6, 2024, over the past 22 years, the Fire Safety Department has received no fewer than 4,710 fire calls and 5,969 emergency calls since September 2013, since the creation of first responder services, for a total of 10,679 calls.