By Mark Squibb
December 1, 2023 Edition
Mobile Central High School students, members of the Witless Bay Volunteer Fire Department, and local RCMP officers had good fun for a good cause last week at the first ever Fallen First Responders Cup.
The action saw the firefighters and Mounties from the Holyrood and Ferryland detachments RCMP square off against the students both for bragging rights and to collect food items for the local food bank.
The students bested the first responders 12-5, with Mobile netminder Alex Gentry earning the MVP award.
“It’s all in good fun, but we’re hoping to come back stronger next year,” said Fire Chief Jack Gatherall. “The kids were happy, and the fire department got smoked, we’ll say, but we had a good time.”
Gatherall said that he and Auxiliary Cst. Shawn Lewis had at first discussed holding an ice hockey game between the firefighters and the police officers but opted instead to hold a game of ball hockey. They then thought to invite the high school students to participate.
“It was a good way for the RCMP and fire department to connect with local youth in the area,” said Gatherall. “We are all about spreading positivity. I want people to see the fire department as an inspiration. It’s nice to see a fire department that’s active in its region.”
Gatherall hopes the Fallen First Responders Cup and food raiser will become an annual tradition.
In the meantime, the department is teaming up with the Knights of Columbus for a ‘Pack the Fire Truck’ event for the food drive and will participate in the annual Kinsmen Club Santa Claus parade this weekend.
“It’s a busy time of year to be a volunteer,” said Gatherall.
As busy as they are volunteering in the community, members of the fire department are first and foremost, emergency responders. As of November 1, the department has answered 137 medical calls, six structure fires, 10 motor vehicle accidents, 10 alarm bells, a chimney fire, three brush fires, an electrical fire, four extra service calls, seven vehicle fires, and one water rescue.
