PETER L. SMITH
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE

L’ISLE-AUX-ALLUMETTES – The annual Christmas dinner for the municipalities of Chichester, Sheenboro, and L’Isle-aux-Allumettes, as well as the Pontiac Ouest Fire Safety Service, was held December 6 at Harrington Community Centre.

Deputy Fire Chiefs Ian Payne and Mike Wood awarded Matt Allard with a plaque for earning Firefighter of the Year 2024 and pinned epaulettes to his uniform, signifying his new rank as lieutenant. They also presented outgoing firefighter Stewart Adam with a plaque recognizing his service and introduced all firefighters in attendance.

Payne spoke about new recruits who will start Firefighter 1 training in 2026. He and Wood listed some of their interprovincial partners and agencies they’ve worked with this year, including the Waltham and Mansfield fire departments, Laurentian Valley Fire Department, Pembroke Fire Department Marine Unit, Sûreté du Québec, Ontario Provincial Police, Quebec Paramedic, and Renfrew County Paramedic’s Sierra Team.

Mayors Donald Gagnon (Chichester), Doris Ranger (Sheenboro), and Corey Spence (L’Isle-aux-Allumettes) expressed appreciation to all firefighters for their dedication​.

Photo – Front left: Deputy Chief Ian Payne, Lieutenant Matt Allard, and Deputy Chief Mike Wood with fellow firefighters at the Christmas dinner, Dec. 6, in Chapeau. (PS)