Ken Huber, the postmaster at the 70 Mile House Post Office, presented special commemorative stamps to the South Green Lake, 70 Mile and Watch Lake-North Green Lake fire departments for their efforts during the 2017 wildfires.
“It’s the first time Canada Post has done it,” he says referring to Canada Post presenting the stamps, “and I’m lucky enough to be a postmaster at the time. Because I was here during the fire, I know all they did.”
The local VFDs made a 100 per cent difference, he says.
“You don’t measure it. It’s something you’re grateful for.”
He’s proud of the firefighters and says the stamps look great.
“If you look at the set, they’ve got the military, they’ve got firefighters, they’ve got police and first responders, paramedics. It’s really a great series. I just wish they were available all year round, every year. Not just during the season,” he says. “I’m just very proud to be a part of it.”
It’s really nice of the post office to come out with a stamp thanking the first responders, says Watch Lake-North Green Lake VFD fire chief Guy Poliseno.
“It’s a good step in the right direction for everybody.”
Their department is planning to frame it, he says.
“I’m sure everybody will enjoy that.”
Poliseno and other attendees noted that it’s important to recognize the firefighters after what happened in 2017.
“I think it’s very important for everybody to be recognized that was involved in that, whether you were involved directly or indirectly. The government doesn’t recognize the first responder enough as it is now. To come out with a stamp like that is the best thing the post office could do.”
There were so many things from the evacuations to people coming home, including all the people who came from outside the area that it’s tough to pick one thing that stands out, he says.
“I’d like to thank the post office for coming out with that stamp for all the first responders.”