Chestermere Firefighters Honoured for Heroism

Last week, members of the Chestermere Fire Services received certificates of recognition from Alberta Health Services (AHS) under its Medical First Response (MFR) program after performing extraordinary life-saving measures during a critical medical emergency. The honoured firefighters — Lt. Sather, Lt. Terepocki, Benjamin Bishop, Matthew Relf, Brett Brandon, William Wood, and William Smith — were part of the crew that responded to a severe cardiac arrest.
When the call came in, the partially volunteer fire crew from Chestermere quickly responded, arriving on scene before the ambulance service. One of their Advanced Care Paramedics delivered intensive emergency care, stabilizing the patient and restoring a pulse long before hospital transport. Their swift, coordinated actions made all the difference.
The MFR program enables fire departments and volunteer agencies to offer critical pre-hospital care until EMS arrives. Under this program, MFR providers are trained and equipped to handle first aid, CPR, AED use, and in some cases more advanced interventions depending on local agreements.
For Chestermere, building that capability has been a priority. In recent years, the Fire Service has upgraded its training to a “primary-care paramedic” level — equipping crews with advanced life-support skills such as cardiac monitoring, airway management, and even intravenous therapy.
This latest event brings home the vital and evolving role of fire crews in community health and safety — not just fighting fires, but saving lives in medical emergencies. The awarded firefighters embody the readiness, training, and calm under pressure that residents rely on in times of need.
As the community reflects on this act of bravery and professionalism, we extend deep gratitude: thank you to Chestermere’s firefighters and AHS EMS for their outstanding service. Their commitment underscores that in Chestermere, our fire service is more than a shield against fire — it’s a lifeline for our entire community.