It may have his name on it, but Kevin Kemp believes his Firefighter of the Year Award recognizes his colleagues as much as himself.
“It takes a whole team of firefighters to get the job done,” he said.
Kemp accepted the award at the Flin Flon Fire Department’s awards banquet held Saturday, May 28 at the RH Channing Auditorium.
The firefighters themselves selected Kemp, 28, who has been with the department for about seven years, as the first-time recipient.
Over the years he has helped battle major blazes, including the 2012 fire that destroyed Bakers Narrows Lodge and the 2015 fire at Crepes N Grapes restaurant.
Kemp first took an interest in firefighting as a child growing up in Flin Flon. He remembers being in grade school and winning a prize for Fire Prevention Week for his drawing of a firefighter in action.
He joined the fire department when he was 21, motivated by a desire to help others and serve his community. The job also suits his Christian faith.
“As a firm believer in Jesus Christ, we are told to do everything out of love,” Kemp said. “[My] being a firefighter is me putting my faith in action by putting the needs and safety of others before myself.”
Kemp also has a safety-minded day job as a plant protection officer at Hudbay. His brother Jarrett is also a Flin Flon firefighter.
Also accepting awards at the banquet were David Andres and Brian Mackie, who received 20-year service medals. Greg Nixon earned a
15-year service pin and Dan Hotel a five-year service pin.
