NAIRN-HYMAN—While he deflects credit for the work he has done and says it is the great team around him that makes his work easy, no one can dispute that Trevor McVey is a remarkable firefighter and volunteer for Muscular Dystrophy Canada. Mr. McVey, who is originally from Little Current and was born and raised in Espanola, was awarded with the Muscular Dystrophy Canada Firefighter of the Year award recently.
“It is easy to get awards when you have great fire departments and firefighters working with you,” stated Mr. McVey on receiving his award recently in Calgary, Alberta. “All I have to do is nudge and encourage the firefighters and everyone gets involved and works to support MD.”
This year marked the third time Mr. McVey has been named the Muscular Dystrophy of Canada Firefighter of the Year, having won the award in 2009 and 2017.
“It was an amazing night,” stated Mr. McVey of the award presentations. “The banquet and the entire evening were unbelievable. There was certainly a lot of firefighters in attendance, people who are researchers, politicians and big advocates for MD Canada.”
“The MDC Dr. David Green Firefighter of the Year Award” is presented to a remarkable firefighter who has demonstrated overall excellence through the past year in the areas of advocacy, services, fund development and volunteer engagement. Trevor has been, and continues to be, a champion for MDC and those affected by neuromuscular disorders. He is a committed volunteer who goes above and beyond in attending required meetings, responding to staff in a timely manner, completing tasks or outreach when requested and includes clients in meetings, presentations and events where appropriate,” stated MDC.
“In addition to Trevor’s previous contributions with the Espanola Fire Department, he led a successful ATV drive fundraiser (in Espanola) that raised $15,900, an astonishing 34 percent increase. So far this year, seven departments in his area have hosted events or made donations totaling $72,298,” continued MDC.
Mr. McVey is currently a member of MDC’s National Firefighter Relations Committee, Ontario Provincial Lead Chair and MD Chairperson for Nairn-Centre Fire Department.
Mr. McVey, a member of the Nairn-Hyman Volunteer Fire Department, has been “active with MDA for over 20 years, being named chair of MDC in Espanola in September 1999.”
“For me, all of this is a simple thing because I enjoy it,” said Mr. McVey. “I don’t know anyone in my family or friends who have or have had MD. But for over 20 years I have had the pleasure and honour of getting to know people who do. Muscular Dystrophy is our (firefighters) charity of choice.”
Mr. McVey is also deputy mayor of Nairn-Hyman council and works full-time with Brokerlink Insurance.
“At the ATV ride in Espanola (held his fall), the Espanola Volunteer Fire Department raised roughly $15,000,” he said, noting he is one of a committee of three that organize the annual event. “About 17-18 (Espanola) firefighters showed up to help out which is a terrific turnout, and everything runs seamlessly. We also had 10 of us from the Nairn-Hyman fire department on hand.”
He works with 11 fire departments in the area encouraging them to host fundraising events. “Once they do, I help them with what is needed,” he said.
