Police Team, Officer or Auxiliary Member of the Year:
Cpl. Kevin Krygier
Cpl. Kevin Krygier has been stationed in Richmond since 2007 and takes great pride in his community.
He began Project Link, a foot patrol initiative in the downtown core of Richmond in partnership with Transit Police. This program focuses on engaging business owners and citizens.
He also founded, and chairs, the Downtown Richmond Crime Reduction Working Group, is the Richmond Detachment representative for the Jewish Community and is involved with the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team.
Krygier spearheaded the Richmond School Sports Program that involves Olympic athletes attending elementary schools to give inspiring presentations.
Last November, Krygier became aware of a file from another watch where a young boy's bike was stolen.
The youngster purchased the bike with his own birthday money. Krygier sent out a request asking if fellow RCMP members wished to contribute and buy this young boy a new bike.
The members came together to purchase a new bike and a lock for the boy.
Fire Rescue Crew or Firefighter of the Year:
Jenifer McElgunn
Though firefighter Jenifer McElgunn has only been employed with Richmond Fire-Rescue for five years, her impact is boundless.
A tireless worker recruiting volunteers for Stanley Park Bright Nights, Burn Camp, as well as, serving as the Richmond Fire Burn Fund representative for three consecutive years, McElgunn never shirks her involvement.
She has attended three Burn Camps as a beloved counselor. Organizing Richmond Fire-Rescue's annual golf tournament, working on the Jimmy Ng Memorial Hockey tournament and countless other volunteer functions that require firefighters to donate their time, are tasks that McElgunn has gladly taken on.
She works to keep Richmond Fire-Rescue foremost in the minds of the people involved.
Not content to let her goodwill stay in her own backyard, McElgunn went overseas to Sri Lanka, helping to build homes for people displaced by a tsunami.
Her involvement, on her own time, speaks volumes to her character and perseverance for the greater good.
Ambulance Crew or Ambulance Paramedic of the Year:
Dean Dube and Jeff Smith
On Oct. 30, 2012, paramedics Dean Dube and Jeff Smith were dispatched to meet a couple on the side of the highway.
The call was for an imminent birth. Upon arrival, Dube and Smith did a quick assessment and knew right away the baby was coming.
They loaded the patient into the ambulance and started Code 3, lights and sirens blazing, to Richmond General. They knew the mother wasn't their only patient - they had two lives to care for.
The delicacy of the situation was apparent and Dube and Smith called for backup from the Infant Transport Team.
However, as they were driving, it became clear the waiting was over - the baby was coming now.
They pulled the vehicle over and assisted the mother.
Only a short time later, the new baby girl was born and the crew continued care of the mother and newborn.
Once the ITT crew arrived, Dube and Smith carried on to Vancouver, where they continued their shift - having taken excellent care of their two patients in a rare and stressful situation.
