Three long-time local Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Park employees were honoured with the Parks Canada CEO Award of Excellence last week.
Bruce McMahon, the recently retired senior avalanche forecaster; Eric Dafoe, a senior avalanche technician; and Brenda Demone, the associate director of the Parks Canada Highway Service Centre, received their awards in a ceremony in front of their colleagues with Parks Canada, the BC Ministry of Transportation, the Canadian Forces and the University of Calgary.
Demone also received the 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Bruce McMahon was recognized for his important contribution to the field of avalanche control and protection in an outstanding public service career that has spanned more 30 years. He excelled in serving Canadians and in strengthening the avalanche industry as a whole. He developed the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale, a tool now recognized in Canada and internationally as the most effective and accurate means of classifying wilderness avalanche terrain. He leaves behind a legacy of innovation and achievement that will be felt for years to come.
“Bruce McMahon dedicated more than 30 years to protecting the Trans Canada Highway and Canadian Pacific, the two primary arteries in Western Canada’s transportation network,” said Karen Tierney, Superintendent of Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks (MRGNP). “His contribution and commitment to excellence in service has been inspirational to staff and the organizations served by the avalanche control program in Glacier National Park.”
In 2003, Eric Dafoe served as the leader of the largest avalanche rescue to date in Parks Canada’s history, leading to the implementation of current policies on backcountry use and custodial groups. Eric has had a distinguished career with Parks Canada as a Park Warden, Public Safety Specialist and Senior Avalanche Technician.
“Throughout his career, Eric has been committed to avalanche protection, management of emergency response and mountain search and rescue,” said Karen Tierney. “He has participated in dozens of rescue missions, often at the risk of his own safety. He is highly regarded and respected throughout the agency, by provincial search and rescue organizations and the public that we serve.”
The Jubilee medal went to DeMone in honour of her significant contributions to Parks Canada and Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks (MRG). Brenda is responsible for MRG’s avalanche control, highway and visitor safety teams and works closely with the BC Ministry of Transportation, Drive BC, Canadian Forces and Canadian Pacific.