Wow! After 5 long years, I am SO happy that this day is finally here! In 2004 Slade decided that he wanted to pursue being a Firefighter, so he went through the process of becoming an Auxiliary Firefighter which was the starting point to be eligible to be a Career Firefighter. I say was, because after 4 years of Auxiliary training, and 3 years of applications, interviews, physicals, and tests upon tests, Slade made it in and just in the nick of time too! Slade's recruit class was the first hiring done within AND outside of the AFRS. Word hadn't got out much of that change, but as it were, only 2 men were selected from within the department, the rest came from several different cities. There were about a hundred applicants for 13 positions, so his odds were pretty good. The next recruit AFRS did a half a year later, was for 1 position and there were over 8 HUNDRED applicants!!!! We have been so blessed to have made it in when we did. I am so proud of Slade and his accomplishments and his dedication to and achievement of his career goals!! It feels so good to finally be here and secure!

This day marked the end of his year long probation. We felt like we were living on the knife-edge for that whole year. I had faith in him and his abilities though. He is an amazing man, smart and loyal. AFRS would be remiss if they were to let him go. They had a graduation held at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium, the Honour Guard marched in to the song of bag pipes, and then the recruit class marched in as well dressed in their dress uniforms, looking very shnazzy!! After the ceremony we headed home with all our family that came (there were LOTS, 26 in total. When Slade RSVP'd they asked if he was RSVP'ing for the whole recruit class!!! haha Gotta love big families!) to our house for some pizza and socializing! It was a really great night!!

The Honour Guard