Today will mark a historic moment for the Kentville Volunteer Fire Department. Clem Fairclough, will be retiring after serving 65 years of dedicated fire service, being the longest serving member.
Clem joined the KVFD in 1961 at the age of 20 years old, following a fundraising drive for a new fire truck.
I think with any longevity, there is lots that’s changed over the years. It would be safe to say that Clem has seen it all.
Back when Fairclough served in his first year with the department, they responded to approximately 90 fire calls each year. That number has soared, increasing to 600 calls, keeping the department extremely busy.
Over time he has served as a firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Safety Officer and most recently known for his role behind the accountability position.
Clem was also a member of the Kings County Rope Rescue Team, teaching new firefighters how to tie knots in his 80s.
In 2012, Clem took on the role as on-scene accountability officer, believed to be the first such position in a volunteer fire department in Nova Scotia at the time.
Accountability officers are responsible for tracking when and where firefighters are on a working fire scene, using a tag system with their names and using boards or other equipment to monitor their locations for safety.
Clem was well known by many in the fire service as of late for his work behind the accountability position.
After stepping back from frontline firefighting and being involved in scenes from a much different perspective, he has certainly seen much more over the years.
During his volunteer career, Clem has been witness to many changes including the very first pagers, self-contained breathing apparatus, thermal imaging cameras, larger hoses for fighting fires and bigger fire trucks to fight them.
In 1972, Fairclough championed the purchase of the new pagers and paging system. After the municipal government was convinced of the need, he looked after servicing and repairs of the units for 15 years.
Over Clem’s 65 years of fire service it’s estimated that he has attended 8,200 fire calls, attended an estimated 1,900 training sessions and sat in for an estimated 900 department meetings.
Up until last year he was still involved on active calls, providing scene support and being one of the fire departments accountability officers.
While being a firefighter on the frontline and being exposed to carcinogens overtime, Fairclough was diagnosed with a firefighting-related cancer last year, resulting in his need to step back.
Tonight, Clem Fairclough, will be retiring at the department’s monthly meeting, serving a total of 65 years to the department and his communities.
Thank you Clem, for your dedicated years of service along with your boat load of knowledge shared with generations.
Huge congratulations on this historic achievement and we wish you continued strength and health during your years of retirement.
Adrian J.
