Awards of excellence
Sharon McLeay
Times Contributor
Gerald Skibinsky, Manager of Protective Services, Fire, Disaster and Safety Coordinator was in full uniform for his acceptance of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in Wheatland Council Chambers on Feb. 18. The medal was presented to him by Reeve Glenn Koester.
Skibinsky was nominated by the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association. The nomination worked its way through the Alberta Fire Commissioners Office, on to the Canadian Fire Chiefs Association and he was one of five awardees from Alberta, chosen for his exemplary service to Canadians.
“It is an honour to receive the award from the organization you are receiving it from. Every person that receives this award is being recognized for the work they do, in their specific areas and for things they have accomplished. It is for the organizations that you represent that you are receiving it,” said Skibinsky.
Skibinsky will proudly display the medal on his dress uniform alongside his military service medals and next to the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee medal.
Skibinsky has been a firefighter since 1987. He worked in Cold Lake with the Department of National Defence, prior to taking a post in Strathmore. He has served two tours as a peacekeeper in the former Yugoslavia. He also served in Alert, Nunavut, which is situated on the tip of Saint Elsmere Island. Its current population is five (with seasonal variation). While he was there, he trained the volunteer fire department.
Skibinsky was not alone in medal presentation.
Councillor Ben Armstrong also received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in Wheatland Council Chambers on Feb. 18, presented by Reeve Koester. He was nominated by his peers from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, for 20 years of service with local government. He was recognized for his important role as an elected leader in the municipal process that insures the prosperous and high quality of life enjoyed by residents. He was commended for his excellent effort on making the community a good place to live. Councillor Armstrong thanked everyone for consideration, kind words and awarding him the medal.