Abby Brewer Volunteer Firefighter Of The Year ,2024

USPA NEWS - The dictionary defined a first responder as an officially mandated person with specialized training who arrives at the scene of an emergency, such as a motor accident, natural disaster, or terrorist attack, to provide medical or evacuation assistance.
This definition continues to evolve.
Historically, first responders have often included firefighters, paramedics, and police officers.
Other trained members of organizations who provide professional assistance during an emergency (e.g. military personnel and public safety communicators such as 911 dispatchers) may also be considered as first responders.

Today we are going spotlight Abby Brewer, a Volunteer Firefighter in Salisbury,New Brunswick who recently received the Volunteer Firefighter of the Year award for her district.

Abby Brewer has been a Volunteer Firefighter for the Salisbury Fire Rescue since graduating High-school 3 years ago. If you asked Abby what motivates her to be a Volunteer Firefighter she would tell you that it can be challenging work, but she wants to help people. She likes that there is always room to advance and she is always working on new certification. When I asked what motivates her to run towards danger when most are running away from it she said, " It is not a hero aspect, but rather being a problem solver. She went on to say that knowing she has the knowledge needed to fix the problem. When I asked Abby what she finds the most rewarding she said, "The satisfaction of a job well done."

When I asked Abby what sparked her interest in joining the Fire Service she indicated that her best friend who already served a few years with the Salisbury Volunteer Fire Servive, was her inspiration to join. Although, Abby's friend is now a Parametic, Abby has stuck with the firefighting which she loves. She also mentioned that she has other family members that have been involved in firefighting such as her Great, Great, Great, Grandfather Jack who was a firefighter in a neighbouring town, an Uncle that was a Volunteer Firefighter in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia for a couple of years, and that her father was a Ranger in Alaska and also a member of another local fire service in New Brunswick for a few years.

Along with the Volunteer Firefighter of the Year award, Abby has won various medals when participating in Firefighter competitions. Abby explained that there is constant training opportunities that are required to advance in the Volunteer Firefighter career. Abby is licensed to drive all of the Fire Vehicles in the fleet at the Salisbury Fire Service and is trained and knowledgeable on their capabilities and rescue equipment within. Abby Brewer is testament to the fact that with hard work advancement is certainly attainable and goals and dreams in life can be realized. Abby is a smart and motivated young woman that chooses to make a difference in her community and makes the world a little better of a place because of her valuable service.