Chilliwack Chiefs recognize first responders, public safety personnel in Chilliwack

“Captain Toews received his reward for demonstrating excellence in his field; 31 years of service with Chilliwack Fire Department. Congratulations Captain!” Chilliwack Fire Department wrote on Facebook over the weekend.

Frank Van Nynatten earned the Matthew Hutchinson Memorial Award as a valuable member of Chilliwack Search and Rescue for over 27 years. He is on the Swiftwater, Rope Rescue, and Avalanche Rescue team, and is the Ground Search Team leader. Frank is the Fraser Valley Regional Director for BCSARA, City of Chilliwack fleet liaison, and has organized many community events supporting Chilliwack Search and Rescue. He has given countless hours to his team and the community of Chilliwack.

Image: Supplied by Chilliwack Search and Rescue with permission / Frank Van Nynatten received the Matthew Hutchinson Memorial Award Saturday night (Feb. 11) at the Chilliwack Coliseum. Van Nynatten has been a valued member of Chilliwack Search and Rescue for over 27 years.

“Congratulations to CSAR member Frank Van Nynatten who received the Matthew Hutchinson Memorial Award at the Chilliwack Chiefs game to honour local First Responders on Saturday night!” Chilliwack Search and Rescue wrote on Facebook. “Frank is a dedicated member of our team who has provided many years of service to the community. Thank you Frank! Thank you too to our members Steve and Joel (and their families!) for representing CSAR at the game. It was great to be a part of this wonderful event!”

The remaining award recipients from Saturday night include:

Steve Lovestead – Ambulance Paramedics of B.C.

Steve served as a paramedic with the B.C. Ambulance Service and as a member of the Ambulance Paramedics of B.C. since 1998. During those years he gave back to the profession by being an instructor with the Learning/Education Branch, an emergency driver evaluator, and a paramedic clinical preceptor for paramedic students. Despite retiring in 2019, Steve has continued to volunteer in the community and serve as part of the Ambulance Paramedics of B.C. Ceremonial Unit across the province and country – representing the paramedic profession, serving with pride and honour.

Jack Wilfert – B.C. Corrections

Jack’s career with B.C. Corrections has spanned over 45 years allowing him to work at 6 different locations. Along the way, he has helped many of those incarcerated with his patience and respectful style of interacting. Jack’s work ethic is second to none and he is highly respected and liked by all his peers.

Ryan Carlson – Chilliwack General Hospital

Ryan Carlson has been a healthcare assistant with Fraser Health since 2013. He has worked at Chilliwack General Hospital since 2017 in a variety of different in-patient units. Most recently, he has served in the emergency department. Ryan is an extremely hard-working team player that promotes kindness and quality care for his patients. He is well respected by his peers and is considered a leader in the emergency department.

Constable Jenna Moore – RCMP

Cst. Moore is a Member of the Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment and works out of the Agassiz Community Police Office. Constable Moore has gone above and beyond – organizing and coordinating the Annual RCMP Stuff The Cruiser and the Candy Cane Checkstop. Events that help support the local food bank and promote the reduction of Impaired Driving in the community during the holiday season.

Cst. Moore has also been very active in the local schools doing school talks and has organized several interactive tours of the detachment. As a rider in the 2022 Cops For Cancer Tour, she raised over $6,500 to support cancer-fighting research for kids.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

Chilliwack Chiefs recognize first responders, public safety personnel in Chilliwack

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