Emeritus and Honorary Membership
At every BCPFFA Biennial Convention, an application can be made by a local to honour those who significantly contributed to the association. We thank our past leaders for their leadership and advocacy on behalf of all BC Professional Fire Fighters.
EMERITUS MEMBERSHIP
ARTICLE 3 - MEMBERSHIP: Section 3 & 4 - President or Sec/Treasurer Emeritus, Vice-President Emeritus (4): Nominations for the position of Vice-President Emeritus can only be made by the Local in which the individual served. All nominations must be submitted to the Association 90 days prior to Convention. and The Executive Board will determine if the candidate meets all the criteria established in the Policy and Procedure Manual of the BCPFFA. All Vice-Presidents Emeritus shall be given special guest status with voice but no vote at all conventions with travel, accommodation and expenses to be their own. (Res. #5 BC Conv. 2004) (Res #2 BC Conv 2021)
2023 - Gord Ditchburn, President Emertius, L18
2016 - Michael Hurley, President Emeritus, Burnaby L323
2012 - Richard Melnyk, Vice President Emeritus, Trail L941
2010 - Tim Baillie, Vice President Emeritus, Surrey L1271
2008 - Al Leier, President Emeritus, Prince George L1372
2008 - Harold Heyming, Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus, Kelowna L953
2008 - Robert Hall, Secretary Treasurer Emeritus, Vancouver L18*
2004 - Terry Ritchie, Vice President Emeritus, Burnaby L323
2004 - Robert Brett, President Emeritus, Vernon L1517*
2000 - Wayne Bernard, Vice President Emeritus, Surrey L1271
1998 - Terry Erskine President Emeritus, Saanich L967
* Deceased
11.4 Emeritus Status Criteria
All nominations must be submitted to the Association 90 days prior to convention as per the constitution.
All nominations must be made by the local in which the individual served as per the constitution.
Persons nominated for President, Vice President and Secretary Treasurer Emeritus must have served a minimum of 4 terms on the executive board.
The nominating local must provide a detailed written submission indicating the individual’s service to the Association.
The executive Board will submit to the convention a recommendation of acceptance of the nomination, provided all the criteria are met and that the Constitution and Bylaws be amended to reflect the resolution. (Added - Resolution #5 BCPFFA Convention 2004)
HONORARY MEMBERSHIP
ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIP: Section 2 - Honorary: For meritorious service to the Provincial Association, or distinguished public service, individuals shall be elected Honorary Members by majority vote by delegates at convention, only after due consideration and recommendation of the Executive Board. Honorary Members shall not pay initiation fees, dues or other charges, and shall neither voice nor vote in the Provincial Association or in the International. Honorary membership may be revoked for cause. The names of honorary members shall be read out at each convention.
2023 Miles Ritchie, Burnaby L323
2023 Jeff Clark, Burnaby L323
2023 Dave Harcus, Maple Ridge L4449
2021 Fred Wilkinson, Prince George L1372
2021 Mike McNamara, Surrey L1271
2021 Brian Leavold, District North Vancouver L1183
2021 Dave Mitchell, Vancouver L18
2018 Clayton Murrell, Cranbrook L1253**
2016 Lorne West, Surrey L1271, Retired IAFF Vice President Emeritus
2014 Larry Hollier, Kelowna L953
2014 Mike Starchuk, Surrey L1271
2014 Reid Wharton, Campbell River L1668
2014 Jay Brownlee, West Vancouver L1517
2010 Randy Rae, Victoria L730
2010 Randy Delmonico, Burnaby L323
2008 Jeff Dighton, Vancouver L18
2002 Robert Scruton, Abbotsford L2864
2002 Ed Pakos, Victoria L730
2000 Les Ready, Campbell River L1668
2000 John Thompson, Trail L941
1998 Dennis Jensen, Local L1286
1989 Bob Rowland, University Endowment Lands
1984 *Bill Weeks, West Vancouver L1517
Bill Copeland, Burnaby L323*
Walter Peain, Burnaby L323
Joe Patterson, Victoria L730*
Darryl Hughes, Vancouver L18*
John Bunyan, Vancouver L18*
Bill Sands, Deputy Labour Minister
* Deceased
** Posthumous
Criteria for Honorary Membership
A local in good standing of the BCPFFA must nominate the Fire fighter/individual.
The nomination must be approved by a 2/3 vote of the locals of the Fire fighter’s/individual’s region.
The Executive Board must receive the nomination after approval by the member’s region by the January Executive Board Meeting of the year of Convention for its approval. The executive must approve the nomination by a 2/3 vote of the board.
After approval by the board the recommendation will be submitted to the delegates at convention for consideration.
Proposals for Honorary membership submitted to the Executive Board for approval are to be received in writing.
Detailed description of the proposed fire fighters/individual’s outstanding service/contributions to the Professional Fire fighters of B.C must accompany the nomination.
Other supporting information of evidence that the proposed person’s contributions/service have been recognized among his/her peers must accompany the nomination. ( Resolution #7 BCPFFA Convention 2004)