Two North Shore residents and one of its most revered former volunteers are being feted by the province for their contributions to public safety and emergency preparedness.
Bridget Ann Milsom, a 20-year veteran of North Shore Rescue, and George Merchant, a pioneer of local ham radio and emergency communications, have both been bestowed 2016 Public Safety Lifeline Volunteer Awards.
Milsom joined North Shore Rescue in 1996 and, within a year, became the team’s training officer. After four years, Milsom became the first woman to lead the team in North Shore Rescue’s history.
She was also highly involved in the BC Search and Rescue Association for 12 years, director for training of the BC and Yukon Saint John Ambulance, and a life member of the First Aid Ski Patrol.
Merchant was a founding member of the North Shore Amateur Radio Club and the British Columbia Amateur Radio Co-ordination Council, a province-wide group that brings HAM clubs and individuals together, and he has been a member of the North Shore’s Emergency Communications Team since its creation.
Also last week, the province recognized the late Tim Jones posthumously with the BC Parks Volunteer award for his contribution to saving lives, promoting outdoor safety and advocating backcountry awareness.
North Vancouver’s two MLAs, Jane Thornthwaite and Naomi Yamamoto, presented the posthumous Volunteer Legacy Award to Jones’ widow, Lindsay at the third annual Tim Jones Legacy Fundraiser.
“There are more than a thousand people alive today because of Tim and the team he led at North Shore Rescue,” Thornthwaite stated in a press release.
Added Yamamoto: “Tim made North Shore Rescue what it is today and worked tirelessly to mentor future leaders, ensuring the team will be ready to take on life-saving calls for years to come.”
