Amherst Firefighters Annual Banquet and Awards 2025
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Members of The Amherst Fire Department and Amherst Firefighters' Association held their annual banquet this past weekend. Every year, members attend on the first Saturday in November to gather and celebrate acheivements'.
All active members of the Amherst Fire Department gathered for a photo on the department's apparatus floor before the annual banquet got underway on Saturday night.
25 Years of Service
Fire Chief Greg Jones - 25 Years of Service
L-R: Chief Greg Jones and Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin MLA – Cumberland North
Deputy Chief Mark Goodwin - 25 Years of Service
L-R: Deputy Chief Mark Goodwin and Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin MLA – Cumberland North
Captain Andrew Wallis - 25 Years of Service
20 Years of Service
Adam White - 20 Years of Service
L-R: Firefighter Adam White and Assistant Deputy Chief Bob Sperry
10 Years of Service
Shawn Lepage - 10 Years of Service
L-R: Firefighters Shawn Lepage and Deputy Chief Mark Goodwin
Donald Downey - 10 Years of Service
L-R: Firefighter Donald Downey and Assistant Deputy Chief Bob Sperry
Roger Gouchie Jr. - 10 Years of Service
L-R: Assistant Deputy Chief Bob Sperry and Firefighters Roger Gouchie
5 Years of Service
James Brundage - 5 Years of Service
L-R: Firefighters James Brundage and Deputy Chief Mark Goodwin
Stephen Chapman - 5 Years of Service
L-R: Firefighters Stephen Chapman and Assistant Deputy Chief Stephen Landry
Recruit of the Year
This award foes to a recruit firefighter who has completed the required in-house training and has shown commitment and dedication to the organization
This award goes to Firefighters Stephen Alder.
L-R: Chief Greg Jones, Deputy Chief Mark Goodwin, Firefighters Stephen Alder, Assistant Deputy Chief Bob Sperry, Assistant Deputy Chief Stephen Landry
Best Attendance
This award goes to the person who attened the highest number of volunteer fire fighter functions for the fire department during the year year.
This year's award goes to Assistant Deputy Chief Bob Sperry
L-R: Chief Greg Jones, Deputy Chief Mark Goodwin, Assistant Deputy Chief Bob Sperry, Assistant Deputy Chief Stephen Landry
Amherst Firefighters' Association Volunteer of the Year Award
The Amherst Fire Fighters Association volunteer of the year award is presented annualy by the Amherst Fre Fighters Association. The recipient of this award has been chosen by the members of the Amherst Fire Fighters Association by means of a vote.
This year's award was presented to Lieutenant Raymond MacDonald.
L-R: Lieutenant Raymond MacDonald and AFFA President Michel Poirier
President's Award
This award is presented to Michel Poirier by the Chief of the Amherst Fire Department to the President of the Amherst Fire Fighters Association to acknowledge his leadership and commitment as President throughout the operational calendar year.
L-R: AFFA President Michel Poirier and Chief Greg Jones
Presentation of Basic Firefighter Program Certificates
Certificates for the successful completion of the Basic Firefighter Program were formally presented to individuals who have completed the in-house training curriculum. This achievement marks a significant milestone in their professional development. The next phase for these firefighters will involve preparing for Level I Firefighter Certification, further advancing their skills and qualifications within the fire service.
L-R: Firefighters Bob Kemp, Roger Gouchie, Grant Hurley, Jason Turrell, Nick Shaw
Veterans' Week Proclaimed in Amherst
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Earlier this morning, Deputy Mayor Charlie Chambers was joined by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 10 Amherst Sergeant-at-Arms Justin McKay to proclaim Veterans’ Week in Amherst. Members of Council were in attendance, as well as Chief Jones, Chief Pike, community members and Town staff.
Canada has a long history of providing military assistance in order to secure peace around the world. Peace and Freedom are not just words, but values and beliefs worthy of sacrifice yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Every year, Veterans’ Week leads up to Remembrance Day. This year’s Remembrance Day ceremonies will take place on Tuesday, November 11, in Victoria Square. Attendees are asked to be in place by 10:45 a.m.
The 2025 Poppy Campaign Has Officially Launched
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Mayor Small met this morning with Justin McKay - Sergeant-at-Arms for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 10, Amherst - to receive this year's first poppy.
Poppies are now available at a number of convenient locations around town.
Remembrance Day is Tuesday, November 11. More details will be shared soon about this year's ceremonies.
Recognizing Inspector Tom Wood
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At last night’s meeting of the Amherst Board of Police Commissioners, we took a moment to recognize the recent promotion of one of our Amherst Police Department members – Inspector Tom Wood.
Dreams Come True at Signpost Commercial Consulting
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Chad Smith is the owner of Signpost Commercial Consulting; a new business located downtown at 26 Laplanche Street. He’s from Amherst, and he’s had a few different careers in related industries over the years, in a few different places.
Mayor Small and members of council recently attended Chad's open house event and took a moment to present him and his staff with a new business certificate, officially welcoming Signpost Commercial Consulting to the community.
Mayor Small was joined by members of council to present Chad Smith and his staff with a new business certificate, welcoming Signpost Commercial Consulting to downtown Amherst.
“Out of all the careers I’ve had over the years, this is the one that really stuck with me,” said Chad. “I wish I had known about this 30 years ago!”
Safety First – Presenting Significant Updates to the Building Code
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Ensuring safer, more accessible buildings starts with staying informed.
Last night, the Town of Amherst hosted the Nova Scotia Building Officials Association along with our co-sponsor, the Municipality of the County of Cumberland. This was the second of three events set for northern Nova Scotia builders and contractors to learn about significant updates to the 2020 National Building Code and the 2025 Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations.
About 50 were in attendance, representing a variety of roles within the construction industry.
The National Building Code recently received more than 400 updates, and the most important and applicable information was selected to share during the session. The majority of these changes are reflected in the Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations, which is modelled on the National Building Code and adjusted as required.
Greco New Business Certificate
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Greco New Business Certificate
To celebrate the opening of the new Greco & Captain Sub location in Amherst, Mayor Small and Councillor McManaman presented owners Theresa Hawkes and Rod Creaser with a New Business Certificate on behalf of the Town of Amherst.
From the moment they welcomed their first customers, Theresa and Rod never expected the overwhelming response they would receive. What began as a “retirement gig” has quickly turned into a community success story that has far exceeded even their own expectations.
Their once small team has already grown to more than double its original size, keeping pace with steady demand. “It’s not just us; it’s our staff as well. Our staff are amazing,” they said, recognizing the dedicated team that has helped make the Amherst location thrive. The pride is clear: from gratitude to the excitement of seeing continued growth, the owners are still humbled by the community’s support.
Greco’s head office anticipated sales might slow after the opening weeks, but Amherst proved them wrong. Instead of slowing down, business has only grown stronger, pushing this location into the top tier of Greco stores across the region.
Customers are encouraged to gather, share a meal, and celebrate special occasions. “If it was up to me, I would never work, I would just socialize with people,” one owner joked, reflecting on how much joy comes from connecting with the community. Adding to the experience, Amherst is home to the only Greco location with a drive-thru, making it even easier for customers on the go.
For Theresa and Rod, it all comes back to gratitude — for their staff, their customers, and our community. The Town of Amherst is proud to welcome Greco & Captain Sub to our growing business community.
For more information follow Greco Amherst
