Meet our Fire Fighters!
Beginning July 2022, we are taking the opportunity to let the community get a look into the lives of the firefighters who volunteer for the Crowsnest Pass Fire Department.
Lieutenant Craig Marshall
Lieutenant Craig Marshall is the firefighter we would like to highlight July 2022.
“Hey, I’m Craig!
I was born and raised in the Crowsnest Pass. Outside of Fire fighting I work with the Municipality in the Public Works Department. I’m very proud to live here and have two jobs that revolve around public service.
I joined the Crowsnest Pass Fire Rescue Department in 2016. I quickly realized that firefighting and volunteering in my community was a lot of fun and very rewarding. The department has provided multiple opportunities to challenge myself physically and mentally through training and working on emergency scenes. Providing high quality service for our citizens is something I’ve grown to be very passionate about.
I have been a member of the department for six years now. I currently work as a Lieutenant and EMR, stationed in Blairmore. My favourite part about fire fighting is training. I have been given the opportunity to travel and put in many hours taking courses and training sessions with other departments throughout southern Alberta and BC. I’ve met some highly motivated professionals and mentors who have helped shape who I am today. Learning new skills is a lot of fun, but the best part of my job is passing on what I’ve learned through our departments training program. This department has given me the opportunity to work with a great group of people and do some amazing things.
Outside of firefighting, you can find me out in the mountains hiking, biking, skiing, and camping.”
Thank you Lieutenant Marshall for all of the hard work, time and effort you have put into the Crowsnest Pass Fire department, and your community.
Captain Darryl Johnson
Captain Johnson has been with Crowsnest Pass Fire Rescue (CNPFR) for 28 years. Darryl and his family moved to Crowsnest Pass in 1994 with the Alberta Forest Service; he came here as the Chief Ranger for the Crowsnest District from the Fort McKay District in northeast Alberta. Darryl retired from forestry in 2016 after 39 years service.
Darryl is married to Judy; this year they will be celebrating 41 years of marriage. They have 3 children and 11 grandchildren. Darryl and Judy enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, horseback riding, RV touring in Canada and the USA, plus Cruising to locations like Alaska, Hawaii, Caribbean, Mexico, Panama, etc. Their goal is to visit Australia and Europe as part of their cruising adventures.
Darryl is Captain at the Coleman Hall and has been the department Training Officer since 2017. His focus is on the delivery and maintenance of core competencies and proficiencies for all CNPFR personnel. CNPFR’s training is a passion of Darryl’s, and the department delivers courses which are fully accredited through the National Fire Protection Association and certified by Alberta’s Office of the Fire Commissioner. Sharing of knowledge and experience is one thing which Darryl encourages all ‘senior’ members to do with new recruits who are getting their initial exposures to being a first responder with a fire rescue service. His favourite saying during training is – “Practice Like it is the Real Thing”.
In addition to CNPFR commitments, Darryl is also a Primary Care Paramedic with AHS-EMS and a Registered Forestry Professional with the Alberta College of Forest Management Professionals.
In addition to his activities with CNPFR, Darryl also is a Professional First Responder Instructor with Canadian Red Cross, he teaches basic to advanced First Aid and CPR courses in Crowsnest Pass and area.
Remember always – “The best thing an old firefighter can teach a young firefighter is how to be an old firefighter”.
Thank you Captain Johnson for all of the hard work, time and effort you have put into the Crowsnest Pass Fire department, and your community.
Firefighter Brittany Dorion
Hi I’m Brittany! I've been living in the Crowsnest Pass since 2014 with my fiancé Kelton. We both graduated high school, packed up our stuff and started our road trip out to the mountains. We fell in love with the laid back lifestyle and sense of community that the Crowsnest Pass has to offer and decided to call this place home. Since then we have bought our first home in Hillcrest and couldn't be happier.
I joined CNP Fire Rescue in 2021 and have loved every minute of it. I'm very proud to help serve the community and continue to grow my skills as a first responder. I've been so lucky to train and respond with the most talented, kind hearted and intelligent first responders.
Since joining, I've been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to attend many different courses to enhance my fire fighting knowledge and first aid skills. This has helped me become more confident at emergency scenes and give the best care I can give.
In my free time I love being outside! Everything from hiking, backpacking, kayaking and so much more. If it involves being outside, I'm there.
Thank you Firefighter Dorion for all of the hard work, time and effort you have put into the Crowsnest Pass Fire department, and your community.
Firefighter Justin Szumlas
Hey I'm Justin!
I am a firefighter stationed in Bellevue. I have been a member of the team since 2021. Shortly after graduating from university in Calgary I packed my things and moved to my family's acreage here in Bellevue. As a full-time job, I work at Teck Line Creek Operations as a grader operator.
Seeing as I have five years with the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves before moving I felt like I needed something to replace that aspect of my life. The CNP Fire Rescue team was the answer to that calling. I am grateful for all the knowledge and kindness that the fire rescue team has shown me. They are truly a great group of people that I would trust with my life. Knowing that I can help when our community needs me the most is why I chose to pursue firefighting.
On my days off you will likely find me developing a four-acre property I purchased alongside my girlfriend Maria. Lots of sweat equity to be seen in our future. My true passions are climbing mountains, building projects, backpacking, quadding and hunting/fishing. Above all, I enjoy a cold morning sitting next to the wood stove with a warm cup of coffee. I am proud to serve the best mountain town community in Canada, while learning along the way.
Thank you Firefighter Szumlas for all of the hard work, time and effort you have put into Crowsnest Pass Fire Rescue, and your community.