Submitted by Jason Roe
Fire Chief, Invermere Fire/Rescue
Longtime firefighters, Jason Lawrick and Rick Magri, both with Invermere Fire/Rescue retired recently after many years of service.
Jason Roe, fire chief, Invermere Fire/Rescue, outlined the accomplishments of the dedicated pair in an email.
“Jason Lawrick spent 29 years with Invermere Fire/Rescue,” Roe wrote. “Jason started as a volunteer firefighter and became a paid on call firefighter. Jason loved to be on the end of the attack hose and was always the first to be at the fire ready to attack.
“Rick Magri served with Invermere Fire/Rescue for 22 years,” Roe continued. “Rick started as a volunteer firefighter and eventually became a paid on call captain of the department. He was a dedicated member and always liked to share his experience with fellow firefighters. Rick was a very confident truck/pump operator and spent many hours training other operators to fill his position.”
Roe noted both Lawrick and Magri have seen a lot of changes in the fire service over their careers. “Modern equipment and trucks (being) added to the department over the years was a significant change. Jason was on the department for the move from the old firehall to the new one we are in today. The new hall was the old high school, which Jason attended as a student.
“They were both members of a large group of volunteers that spent endless hours renovating the old school into a firehall. These two men have seen the fire service transition from a group that just did the best they could with what they have, to a group that trains, practices and responds the same as a professional firefighter in a big city.
Both Jason and Rick were a huge part of the success of the road rescue program. Spending a lot of their time training by cutting up old vehicles with hydraulic tools known to most as the Jaws of Life. They responded to many accidents over the years, saving many lives.
These guys have decided to retire as they feel confident that firefighters coming up in the ranks below them can take over their duties. They have given up a lot of free time over the years, and it is now their time to take some time for themselves to enjoy the other things that are important to them.
