Listuguj Honors it's Police and Firemen

[singlepic id=9 w=320 h=240 float=right]On February 26, Listuguj gave six officers a standing ovation and a plaque for their exemplary service. “Our administration recognizes their bravery and their contribution towards our community,” said Allison Metallic, Chief of the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government, addressing a room filled with Councilors, community members and Band office staff. “Over the years they proved their bravery here and also when our neighbors call for support”,  he concluded, referring to an event early this year where the officers helped rescue a man from the freezing waters of the Bay of Chaleur.

On January 6, 2012, the Listuguj Police and the Listuguj Fire Department responded to an emergency call from the Campbellton RCMP requesting help to rescue a fisherman in the McLeods area. The 47 year-old man, from Kedgwick, N.B. was ice-fishing off Trepannier Beach when the ice he was standing on broke away from the shoreline and drifted away around 100 meters.

“The call came in from the Campbellton RCMP at around dinner time. The weather was clear, cold, with a little wind”, remembers Cst. George Martin.  “It was difficult to get the boat into the water because the road was snow-covered.  We needed to take the boat off the trailer and push it a few hundred meters down hill.  Eleven officers – four from the RCMP and CFD, and seven from the LPD and LFD – together pushed that boat to get it into the water and bring the man to safety unharmed.  That part of the operation took almost 30 minutes. Once the fisherman was back on land and safe it was a great feeling, we were all happy to see that man safe and able to go home to his family”, continued Cst. Martin.  “After the rescue an RCMP vehicle had to be hauled out of the snow, the road had to be cleared of snow and the LFD boat had to be winched back up the hill by Mundle’s towing service.”

Last year, Listuguj responded to two river rescues and the Listuguj Fire Department decided to purchase a boat for incidents like this.

The ceremony honoring the officers was new in Listuguj. “It’s time to start recognizing them.  We don’t do that enough.” said Wallace Barnaby who came to support this initiative.

According to Cst. Martin, with 21 years of service, “After the ceremony we all shook hands and told each other ‘Good Job’ but It’s about the call of duty.”

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