Many consider volunteering a thankless job, but as many IBEW members know, it is actually very rewarding. A recent example is being embraced by IBEW Local 2067 in Saskatchewan.
Everyone is aware of the April 2018 Humboldt bus crash tragedy that made international headlines and saw Canadians from across the country unite in support of the families whose lives have forever changed. This tragedy has brought us closer together as Canadians, showing our support for the victims’ families, survivors and the community.
It seems everyone can connect or relate to the tragedy in some way and IBEW Local 2067 in Saskatchewan, it hit close to home. IBEW Local 2067 has been proud to recognize two IBEW members who attended the accident as volunteer first-responders.
Being first responders, and realizing the magnitude of the incident, they immediately and instinctively began pulling personnel from the decimated bus. They assisted in getting survivors to the ambulance to transport to the Tisdale and Nipawin Hospitals. These members received Significant Safety Achievement Awards from their employer, SaskPower.
On October 22, 2018, IBEW Local 2067 Business Manager, Jason Tibbs, went on-location to present IBEW Life Saving Awards to both Brothers on behalf of IBEW International President, Lonnie Stephenson; this is the highest award the IBEW has to offer. These two members have now joined a small and honoured group of IBEW members – those who have saved a human life. Tibbs is very proud of these members and stated, “We encourage the membership to be active in their communities, the selflessness of these two members saved lives”. St. Amant believes volunteering is crucial: “Especially in small towns, volunteering is essential; someone is volunteering to coach kids in sports, I volunteer for the first response team. If you aren’t giving back by volunteering, all you are doing is taking”.
SaskPower nominated these two members for the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) Lifesaving Awards and on November 7th, 2018 they were recognized at CEA’s Board of Directors & Corporate Partner Event Program in Ottawa, ON, Canada.