Back in June, MP Bob Zimmer came to town to award a posthumous Platinum Jubilee Medallion to Doug Beale.
Beale worked for the District of Tumbler Ridge, sat on council, and, most notably, was a firefighter here for over 22 years.
Beale started with the Tumbler Ridge Fire Department on August 25, 1999, and continued until his passing on May 26, 2022.
“During his distinguished career, he accumulated 3,173 training hours, responded to 1,805 emergency calls, and contributed 1,473 emergency response hours,” said Zimmer when presenting Beale’s wife, Donna. “Known for his professionalism, willingness to help in any role, and commitment to safety, Doug also served as the department’s first official safety officer. He held positions on the Tumbler Ridge Firefighters Association Executive, including Vice President.”
Doug was awarded the Governor General’s Fire Service Exemplary Service Medal in 2019 and named Tumbler Ridge Firefighter of the Year in 2000, 2017 and 2021.
The medallions was originally issued in 2022, and were not part of a national program. Instead, certain provinces (Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI and Saskatchewan) elected to issue medals. Some MPs, especially those in northern ridings, also chose to award community medallions.
One of those ridings was the Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies, where MP Zimmer handed out 70 of the awards; most were handed out in a series of events back in 2022, but there were a dozen recipients who were unable to make those events. He was finally able to get the Beale’s the medallion this summer.
“Beyond the fire hall, Doug was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who cherished his family above all, even more than his passion for motorcycles,” says Zimmer. “He was respected as a mentor, friend, and brother’s keeper who always put others first.”
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
