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OAK BAYNEWS Friday, May 23, 2014
www.vicnews.com
Captain Inspector Ken Gill of the Oak Bay Fire Department will be retiring from the department after more than 17 years at the department and 32 years as a firefighter. Arnold Lim/News staff
A fond farewell to one of Oak Bay’s finest
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Gill made that choice and his customeroriented personality, professional attitude and open-minded approach were strengths he brought to the department every day. “He has been a great ambassador for fire. He just built a wealth of knowledge which we are losing through his retirement,” Cockle said. “He’s also a longtime member of the International Association of Firefighters as an executive member involved with community organizations. He is just a really wellrounded individual. He will be missed.” PlEASE SEE: Communication key, Page A23
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After 32 years, Captain Inspector Ken Gill is hanging up his helmet. Best known as the Oak Bay Fire Department’s fire prevention officer for 17 of those 32 years, Gill said his connection with the department will be missed and, despite not being an Oak Bay resident, he felt welcomed both by his peers and the community. “I think there’s a real sense of pride and honour in our fire department. All our people are aware and cognizant of the history of the department and where we
whom spent time as firefighters. come from and how we are depended on “My father put in 40 years as a volunteer by the community,” he said. “There is no with Sidney Fire Department. I grew up call too small ... that gives us a sense of with him responding to the being part of the community sirens, so I grew up around whether you live there or not. “There is no fire service and grew up I spent all my working hours call too small ... that the around the fire hall,” he said. here and you become part of the Oak Bay culture.” gives us a sense of “I was also very interested in getting into policing. … Gill began his career as a being part of the It was a toss up and some fire dispatcher with Langford community.” opportunities came up and in the early 1980s, moved to I felt like I was more suited the Department of National - Ken Gill for a fire background than Defense at CFB Esquimalt and police.” eventually to his post with the Oak Bay Having worked with Gill for years, Oak Fire Department, following in the footsteps Bay fire chief Dave Cockle said he is glad of his father and father-in-law, both of
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Arnold Lim
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