A Sherridon firefighter and a natural resource officer formerly based in Snow Lake accepted provincial honours last week.
Dennis Hatch received the 2014 Manitoba Wildland Firefighter Award. He has worked in Sherridon/Cold Lake since 1981 and is the Cold Lake Fire Ranger.
In a news release, Conservation Minister Tom Nevakshonoff said Hatch’s concern for the safety of his staff has distinguished him throughout his career.
Nevakshonoff added that Hatch’s dedication does not end with the fire season, as he has frequently assisted natural resource officers in the fall and winter months and even built many of the patrol cabins currently used by officers in the district.
Meanwhile, former Snow Lake natural resource officer Dwayne Strate accepted the 2014 Conservation Officer Community Service Award.
Recently retired, Strate served as a natural resource officer in Snow Lake, Norway House, Brandon, Grand Rapids and his final assignment in Swan River.
Nevakshonoff said Strate was a valuable mentor to other staff by sharing his experience and helping train many junior officers.
Strate took an active role in the communities in which he worked, volunteering as a coach for hockey and softball, serving on community boards and helping his community in numerous other ways, according to the release.
