Being honoured by his peers is hard to fathom for Central York Fire Services acting Capt. Philip Montgomery.
He didn’t get into firefighting for accolades, he did it because he knew it was his calling and everybody who knows Montgomery can see that.
That’s why when he was honoured with the Jim Allen Award last evening, Nov. 9, at the services' annual recognition ceremony, it was overwhelming for him.
The award was introduced in 2018 in recognition of retired Capt. Jim Allen for his contributions to fire services locally and provincially during his 37-year career. Each year, anonymous nominations are reviewed and recipients are selected by a committee representing a cross-section of CYFS staff and leadership.
This year, after 20 years of service with Central York Fire Services, Montgomery was selected as the winner of the award for his persistent dedication to learning and sharing his knowledge with his co-workers.
“I find it very humbling that this is what my peers think,” he said. “It chokes me up. I was speechless.”
Montgomery said winning the award was overwhelming, especially when he received a standing ovation.
His efforts in educating himself and others about different firefighting techniques was in large part why he was nominated for the award and says that he’s had past fire captains whom he looked up to that set great examples for him.
“They would always say yes when you needed help,” Montgomery said. “I made a promise to myself that I was going to be that firefighter and always help out.”
Having more new firefighters in recent years has re-lit the fire in Montgomery to get better because they ask the hard questions and rely on him for guidance.
“What’s the point in hoarding information if you can’t share it within the fire service?” he said. “I’m making myself better, making my team better, and servicing Newmarket and Aurora better.”
Assistant Deputy Fire Chief Claude Duval said that Montgomery had 20 nominations from fellow firefighters, by far the most in the history of the award.
“Everyone recognizes that he goes far above and beyond,” said Duval. “He has been generous with his time and knowledge."
Montgomery is the chair of the CYFS high rise committee and helped introduce new firefighting techniques for high rise fires that he studied from other departments such as Toronto to help teach in Newmarket and Aurora.
“He identified the need (for this training),” said Duval. “He not only identified the gap, but he’s actively involved in filling that gap.”
The recognition ceremony included other CYFS staff receiving congratulatory certificates and awards for federal exemplary service medals and bars, provincial long service medals and bars.
East Gwillimbury firefighter Jeesye Apps, firefighters Adamo Marcangelo and Benjamin Zwolman received a St. John Ambulance Award certificate for their heroic efforts in saving a life.
In addition, others were recognized for a promotion or for joining the service team.
