NORTH Shore Rescue team leader Tim Jones said his first reaction on learning he was being awarded an honorary degree by Capilano University was "Are you sure you've got the right guy?"
"I do have a degree from Simon Fraser University, but I never considered myself an academic," said Jones. "I'm really honoured."
Jones, a longtime team leader and the public face of North Shore Rescue, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by the university this week for his work on behalf of the rescue team.
Over the past 20 years, Jones has taken part in more than 1,400 search and rescue operations. He was also cofounder of the rescue team's heavily used helicopter rescue program, and established its extensive communication network.
Jones has been no slouch in the fundraising department either, helping to generate more than $1.5 million for the team's operations and equipment over the years.
Jones is also in his 30th year as paramedic in charge of the North Vancouver B.C. Ambulance Service.
Jones said when the university first started calling, he hadn't checked the team's administrative line for a couple of weeks and assumed they wanted somebody to give a talk.
Jones said he's honored to be recognized, and hopes any recognition can be used to help raise money for the rescue team.
The team will mark its 50th year in 2015 and plans to kick off a drive to develop a "legacy fund" next year that will be used to maintain equipment, said Jones.
Jones said he's taken some ribbing from other team members, who are more used to seeing him jumping out of helicopters than dressed up in a suit.
Others honoured by Capilano University at its spring convocation Monday were Stephen Lewis, former ambassador to the United Nations and longtime AIDS activist and Joann Archibald, a researcher in the area of First Nations education.
The honorary doctorate degree recognizes those who have made substantial contributions to society at the provincial, national and international levels.
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