They work long hours, holidays, weekends and always put themselves first using their advanced knowledge to save lives everyday. Today in Oxford County was a sad day as the residence and EMS personnel mourn the passing of EMS Chief Joe Pember Jr.

Emergency Service personnel (EMS, Fire, Police, Flight Medics) from far and wide came to Woodstock Ontario to show their support and pay respects to Joe Pember Jr and his family. Joe's sudden passing shocked many in Oxford, gone to soon but never forgotten.
Lights flashed, bag pipes played and a sea of emergency service members marched down the road from the TA Truck Stop to GOFF HALL as people gathered to mourn Joe's passing.

Joe arrived in an old Ambulance from the 60's which was used back then and resembles the "Ghost buster car " as many people call it. Along side the Ambulance were Woodstock EMS members marching, following them was Joe's family and friends and behind them was a sea of Emergency Service members all marching in formation. Service flashes from Hamilton, London, Brant County and many more... it was an amazing sight to see. Once at GOFF HALL Joe was brought into the hall by fellow EMS where the ceremony took place.

Outside, after the ceremony... EMS, Police and fire lined the GOFF HALL entrance/exit driveway and saluted Joe as the hearse passed them by showing ultimate respect and honour for his years of service. A low rwaring, buzz was heard off in the distance which got louder and louder. To everyones surprise, the WWII Harvards came flying over head, so fitting for the occasion. 3 passes were made and on the final pass, with smoke on, the fallen man was performed. The fallen man is when three or more planes come in formation and one splits away from the rest to signify " the fallen man ". This ceremony was very well done, well deserved and Joe will be greatly missed in Oxford County.

I am constantly keeping Joe and his family in my thoughts. R.I.P Joe.

Kevin Vyse Photography All Rights Reserved 2015 — Kevin Vyse Photography
All Rights Reserved 2015

I've never seen so many pretty ladies gathered together at an event in my life!

This weekend ( Aug 9,10,11th) was the Ingersoll Ontario 2013 FireFighter Fit Challenge. This is an event where Firefighters, men and women, gather to run a course which show cases how physically fit they are, and have to be to do their job. I may not name the sections of the course correctly but it starts out with: A run up 5 flights of stairs in full gear, then at the top, they do a hand over hand pull of rolled up hose to the top of the tower. After that, they run back down 5 flights of stairs. Once at the bottom they have to bleed their oxygen tank, and switch tanks onto another firefighters back. Firefighter number two then jumps onto a Hammer Shuttle and beats a big steel block from one end to the other, then takes off running, weaving around fake fire hydrants. They then pick up a fire hose, throw it over their shoulder, and run back down the course to a target where they then have to blast the hose at the target and knock it down. Once the target has been knocked down they pick up a 175lbs dummy and drag it all the way back down the course across the finish line.

This event was pretty sweet to watch take place and it really makes you realize how in shape these firefighters really are.

Shutter Click.

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Joe Pember Jr. Final Goodbye

2013 FireFighter Fit Challenge