Late firefighter’s legacy lives on with award for new recruits

November 15, 2018 · 0 Comments

By Brock Weir

Firefighter Chris Lowe’s sudden death last year sent shockwaves through the Central York Fire Services a year ago this Saturday, but his legacy will live on in an award for new recruits who follow his example.
Lowe’s wife, Rebecca, and young daughters Julie and Payton, joined Central York Fire Chief Ian Laing and Council members from both Aurora and Newmarket at the Edward Street fire station Tuesday morning for the official unveiling of the Chris Lowe Memorial Award.
Mr. Lowe joined Central York Fire Services in March of 2016. Having first cut his teeth as a member of the Blue Mountains Fire Department near Collingwood, he led by example, and this award will recognize rookie firefighters who do the same.
“It is an important day for Chris’ family and an important day for everyone who becomes firefighters for Central York because they have the opportunity to be presented with this very award, that they can be considered to have the same type of qualities that Chris brought to the job,” said Chief Laing. “Chris joined us in March, 2016, as a recruit firefighter. In his short time at Central York, Chris did an amazing job. He was well-educated, he was motivated and he made a great impression on everyone that he worked with.
“We wanted to recognize his efforts, his contributions, his dedication and his positive attitude and establish this award because he exemplified all those behaviours. Each year when we have a recruit class, we will award this plaque to the recruit that demonstrates those outstanding skills, academic proficiency, teamwork and dedication, because that is what Chris was all about.”