Fire Chief Harris Awarded Bar for 30 Years of Service

Posted November 24, 2022

The Peace River Fire Department’s fire chief, Tim Harris, was recently presented a bar for 30 years of exemplary service.

Harris first started his firefighting career at age 29 when he first moved to Peace River in 1990. New to town, Harris was looking to meet people, and a colleague of his wife mentioned the Peace River Fire Department that her husband also served on. He visited during Tuesday night practice and has been a part of the department ever since.

For the first 22 years of his firefighting career, Harris was a casual firefighter, working from probationary firefighter to a captain. He then became a deputy chief, and then finally chief six years ago.

Now, as fire chief, Harris says that one accomplishment he is proudest of will be the addition of an Aerial Apparatus (Ladder Truck) to the Peace River Fire Department. This addition, expected to arrive in January or February of next year, will assist firefighters with performing their job. “My goal is to provide the firefighters with the tools, training, and resources to complete the tasks. Their accomplishments on the calls become my accomplishments as well. I may lead the team, but without the team I accomplish nothing.”

The bar presented to Harris by Mayor Elaine Manzer on November 14 was an addition to a Canadian Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal that he received in 2011 for 20 years of exemplary service. After processing time for this achievement, Harris has now completed 32 years of service. The ceremony was attended by friends, family and fellow firefighters.

Regarding Harris’ achievement, Mayor Manzer offered the following: “On behalf of the Town and Council, I would like to thank Fire Chief Harris for his 32+ years of dedicated service to the town, and his advocacy for the fire department.”