Wheatland Deputy Fire Chief gains prestigious appointment

By Sharon McLeay Times Contributor

Wheatland County’s Deputy Fire Chief Mac de Beaudrap received a prestigious honour this year.
He was appointed an aide-de-camp to the Alberta Lt. Governor, the Honourable Lois E. Mitchell.
An aide-de-camp is a voluntary position given to various military or civil officers by the Lieutenant Governor’s office.
de Beaudrap said there are other aide-de-camp positions representing the military and police services in the province, but this was the first year a representative for Alberta firefighters was chosen. The Alberta Fire Commissioner’s office nominated de Beaudrap and he was given the honour of representing the service at events pertaining to the fire services. de Beaudrap has served in the fire services for 36 years.
“It is a privilege and an honour to be appointed, not only for myself, but to be a representative for all the province’s fire services. I am surprised and humbled to be recognized amongst my peers for this appointment,” said de Beaudrap.
He considers it a highlight of his career and said he was walking on air for several days after the appointment.
Aide-de-camp duties include giving protocol advice to hosting organizations for events, providing an introduction of the Lt. Governor to the host on arrival, closely accompanying the Lt. Governor throughout the function to offer advice and divert pressing crowds or individuals, ensure those meeting with the Lt. Governor are given appropriate discussion time, and ensure appropriate organization and planning are done for given events.
In May, de Beaudrap was called to accompany the Lt. Governor to the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association annual conference, where she presented Fire Services Exemplary Service Medals.
These awards are given to chosen firefighters with 20 years of exemplary service, which includes duties that involved potential risk.