Two members of the Okotoks Fire Department received recognition for their years of service on Wednesday night. 

Scott Gilmour & Neal Rowan were awarded for 12 years of continuous service as fire fighters Wednesday night in front of their peers, members of Town Council and their commanding officers.

Gilmour says it's been quite the turn around for him since his first day on the job in Okotoks.

"Seen a lot of changes, in 2010 when I first joined I think our call volume was maybe 700 and then last year we did a record number of calls at over 1100. We see the town growing, getting busier, we'd like to see a few more guys hired full time but we'll do what we can with the great team we have."

Rowan has spent over 20 years in fire services in various locations across Western Canada and says from day one to year 20 he's always been ready to do what is needed to protect communities.

"It's wonderful, my first day was wonderful. Just being able to see people everyday and get to have an effect on them is rewarding for me."

Both Gilmour & Rowan have military backgrounds and says just like serving for the country, working at the fire department has the same feel to it.

"I like the comradery, I spent 13 years in the military and it's huge and it's the same with the fire department," Gilmour says.  "It's a brotherhood, we take care of each other, train hard, fight hard and things fall into place."

Rowan adds saying the bonds and friendships he's built in his time as a fire fighter is unprecedented.

"It's always how close we get working together day after day, and just seeing all the people the effect we can have with one another and just how close we can get on relying on each other whether it's calls or training."

Rowan says as for the future of his fire fighting career he just wants to see the Okotoks department continue to get better each day.

"More training, more growth, bringing a better level of quality of service and you know what if we don't have a smile on our face it must be a bad day but everyday is wonderful day when we're coming into work and we need to have a smile on our face."

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