Mac Noble began volunteer firefighting 50 years ago. He says he knew he wanted to join the volunteer fire service after he was involved in a house fire as a child.

“I just felt like I should be doing the same thing here in our community,” says Mac.

Mac has been the chief officer of the Elmsdale Volunteer Fire and Emergency Service for more than two decades.

“When a neighbour goes through a fire, it's likely one of the most traumatic events in their lifetime,” says Mac. “Whatever we can do to help, that's my goal.”

Mac’s commitment to the fire service has meant some sacrifice over the years.

“Many interrupted birthday parties, Christmas dinner, bridge games and sometimes he'd go and come back and sometimes he'd be gone for a couple of days,” says Mac’s wife Anne.

Through it all, Mac and Anne have stuck together. Next year they will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

Mac has inspired his son and two grandchildren to also become volunteers with the fire service.

“I'm definitely proud of what he's accomplished throughout the years and he's definitely a role model,” says Mac’s grandson, Greg Hussey.

Last week, Mac flew to Ottawa to accept the 2014 National Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Volunteer Fire Service Association.

“It was truly humbling,” says Mac. “I have not participated in fire service for awards. I participated for my own personal want to assist people.”

“He's a born leader and with his fire department, he sets a really good example for this community of what volunteerism should be,” says Nova Scotia Liberal MLA Margaret Miller.

Congratulations to Mac Noble, our Maritimer of the Week!

 

If you know someone deserving of our Maritimer of the Week award, we want to hear about it.

It doesn’t matter how old they are, the nature of the good deed they’ve done, or what part of the region they live in – we want your ideas!

Please send your nomination to:

maritimer@ctv.ca

or

Maritimer of the Week

P.O. Box 1653

Halifax, N.S.

B3J 2Z4