Michelle Vandevord has broken down a lot of barriers. (submitted photo)

By Nigel Maxwell

Leading by example

Muskoday woman named first female president of national body representing Aboriginal Firefighters

Dec 2, 2020 | 8:00 AM

Just over two decades after joining the Muskoday Volunteer Fire Department, Michelle Vandevord can now lay claim to being elected the first female president of the Aboriginal Firefighters’ Association of Canada.

Born and raised in Prince Albert, the 49-year-old recalled the decision to move to Muskoday 25 years ago was based on a desire to help her community. After working in home care and at the community’s school, Vandevord was encouraged to try something out of her normal comfort zone.

“It was because of one person that I am where I am and I owe that to Randy Bair,” she said, explaining the former captain of the Muskoday unit was the person to encouraged her to come out and practice. “I went to my first meeting after that and the rest is, as they say, kind of history.”

While she remains today with the fire department, Vandevord’s talents were recognized early. Richard Kent with the Saskatchewan First Nations Emergency Management hired her as an officer. She has since promoted to associate director. Vandevord thanked Kent for taking a chance on a female firefighter.

“The Muskoday Fire Department is very well known across Saskatchewan, especially in our First Nations communities, because we have always been so progressive, having our fire trucks and a mutual aid agreement with Birch Hills,” she said.

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Vandevord with members of the Muskoday Volunteer Fire Dept, helping in LaRonge during the 2015 wildfire. (Submitted photo)

Knowing he was getting closer to retirement, Kent took Vandevord to an association meeting last year, where she was voted in the Saskatchewan representative. A year later she was elected president and holds the distinction of being the first woman to hold both titles. Recalling her early years at Muskoday, Vandevord said she was often the only female.

“Being able to be in the community and other little girls seeing me when I’m at a fire scene or have my turnout gear on, you know it’s being that role model that you can be anything you want to be,” she said.

Vandevord described her new position as a steep learning curve but added she was very proud to help lead a national fire prevention program. The new program will focus as much on educating youth at schools as it will home owners.

“Growing up in the fire service on reserve you know what those issues are. Fire prevention is very close to my heart,” she said. “The way I see it, we shouldn’t have to respond to fires; all fires are preventable.”

Michelle Vandevord enjoys her job most when she gets the opportunity to speak to youth at schools. (submitted photo)

In addition to thanking Randy Bair and Richard Kent, Vandevord also acknowledged Prince Albert Grand Council which was responsible for the creation of Saskatchewan First Nations Emergency Management.

Response from a mentor

Randy Bair has fond memories of meeting Vandevord over two decades ago. He acknowledged pushing the then 28-year-old a bit harder than the men on the team.

Michelle Vandevord considers Randy Bair to be a mentor and close friend. (submitted photo)

“She’s kind of bull headed. Anytime she puts her mind to doing somethings she usually carries it out so it’s really good to see Michelle where she is today,” he said.

In response to the credit he received from Vandevord, Bair said some people just need a little nudge and expressed how proud he was of his former student.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell