Victoria, BC ~ Central Saanich Fire Department got some surprise visitors on Monday (August 21st) when a Kelowna family stopped by to say thank you, after their house was saved in Kelowna due to the bravery of multiple fire crews, including one from Saanich.
Malindi Elmore and her family are staying with family members on Vancouver Island after evacuating their family home in Kelowna last Thursday night. Their family dropped by the fire department with sandwiches for the department members as well as some thank you cards from their young sons.
Among the department members that had been fighting in Kelowna, risking his life to keep families safe, was Grizzlies alumni Greg Simpson.
Greg was born and raised in Victoria and between the 2008-2011 seasons, he appeared in 110 games as a Victoria Grizzly while compiling 201 penalty minutes. “Greg was a tough kid. He was the ultimate teammate who would always stand up for his teammates in any and every situation,” said Grizzlies partial owner Don Robinson who was an assistant coach and scout with the Grizz at the time of Greg’s career.
Malindi would say that, “They saved our house, they saved our neighbourhood. They’ve been instrumental in saving our house and our city.”
According to Forestry Minister, Bruce Ralston, a record 652 structural firefighters have helped preserve homes in Kelowna with many of them hailing from the Island.
Greg truly has the heart of a Grizzly and the entire organisation could not be more proud of their beloved “Simmer” and his dedication to helping a community in need.
