Every year, a local firefighter is recognized for their efforts in serving the community by being presented with the Firefighter of the Year Award. This year’s recipient was Matthew Linnick. Linick is one of the Swan Valley Fire Department (SVFD) instructors and a firefighter who demonstrated active volunteerism in the community and took part in the wildfire deployment to Flin Flon.
Linnick first got involved with the SVFD over three years ago. His interest in joining the local fire department was sparked by his longing to help others in the community.
“I joined the department in the fall of 2022,” said Linnick. “I joined because I wanted to be able to serve my community.”
Over the years, Linnick has done a lot of training to become a firefighter with the SVFD. In this role, he realizes that one must always be willing to learn and train when it comes to emergency response and firefighting techniques.
“You never really complete your training; there are always new skills and techniques to learn,” said Linnick. “When we are not learning new skills, we are training to keep up with our current ones. The most challenging aspects of training can be the physical demands and the amount of information you must absorb in a short amount of time, especially when completing your Level 1 training.
“We have great instructors, officers and senior firefighters on our department to help us overcome any challenges we face. This year, I completed my Firefighter Level 1 training. Additionally, I have taken various courses throughout my time in the department, including Emergency Services Instructor 1, vehicle extrication, and pump operations.”
Linnick stepped up to the call when one of the largest forest fires in Manitoba’s history broke out last summer, up north and in Flin Flon. This has provided Linnick with even more experience when it comes to firefighting and emergency disaster response.
“Late in the spring, I was part of a crew of four members from our department that went to Flin Flon with our pumper truck to assist,” said Linnick. “While there, we worked with Flin Flon and many other departments from around the province. We worked to extinguish hot spots on the fire lines around Flin Flon, and later, when the fire was threatening cabins in and around Bakers Narrows, we worked to protect these structures from the fire.
“It was great to see all the departments from around the province come to assist.”
Linnick enjoys his time with the SVSF for a variety of reasons. The camaraderie and ability to help others are something that he finds personally fulfilling.
“Since joining the department, I have been able to develop and grow my skills as a firefighter,” said Linnick. “This is all thanks to the other firefighters on our department who have taken the time to teach and work with me, and all the new firefighters.
“The thing I enjoy most about being a firefighter is being able to serve my community.”