2011 Lieutenant Governor's Award Winners are:
Laurie Lowes, London Drugs—Lifetime Achievement Award
One of Laurie Lowes’ favourite expressions is, “safety is not a trade secret” and he has spent most of his 30-year career sharing his safety knowledge with direct coworkers as well as colleagues across the retail sector. Lowes joined London Drugs in 1981 as Loss Prevention Manager, and became Health and Safety Manager in 1996. He is committed to the health and safety of more than 7,500. Lowes was a founding member of both the Retail Loss Prevention Association of BC and the BC Retail Safety Society. Lowes is also a part time instructor in Langara College’s Criminal Justice Program, a first aid instructor with St. John’s Ambulance, and he volunteers with numerous business and community groups.
Michael L. Dine, Pender Island Fire Rescue—Exceptional Contribution to Public Safety: Individual Award
Deputy Chief Michael Dine is a champion for firefighter safety and training whose leadership is felt throughout the Southern Gulf Islands fire departments. Since joining what was then the South Pender Island Volunteer Fire Department, Dine has developed a leading volunteer fire fighter training program that is recognized as a model for volunteer departments across BC. He created a Southern Gulf Islands Wildfire Prevention program to educate children and adults reducing fire and smoke-related calls by at least 30 per cent. In 2005, he also established a cadet program for teenagers to develop future fire fighters. Dine does all of this and more as a volunteer because of his passions for safety and giving back to the community.
Lifesaving Society, BC & Yukon Branch—Exceptional Contribution to Public Safety: Organization Award
The Lifesaving Society (formerly the Royal Lifesaving Society) is a not-for-profit organization whose mandate is to reduce water-related death and injury. The Society has been educating the public and training lifesavers and lifeguards since 1911, and in that time has touched literally millions of British Columbians through its many programs. The Annual Commonwealth Awards Ceremony for Honour & Rescue in March, and National Drowning Prevention Day in July, are the most important events on the Society's calendar. Both events recognize roles that any British Columbian may find themselves in as either a victim or rescuer.
Many thanks to our 2011 sponsors.