The newest Citizen of the Year proves you can make a large impact on a community in a relatively short amount of time.
Steve Edwards is this year’s selection, well known as one of the forward facing members of the Bowen Island Fire Department. Though he’s been on Bowen less than a decade, his deep involvement in one of the island’s most important institutions have already made him an important pillar of the community.
“The community itself, the feel that I get from people, and the fact that I can stand in front of my house and have a half-hour conversation with my neighbour and we have time for that,” answers Edwards on what he finds so endearing about the island.
“We live in a special place where we’re surrounded by this beauty and the people just seem to have a different attitude… it’s that Bowen Island Way,” he says.
For his part Edwards quickly got to work inserting himself into the community after arriving here from Squamish in 2018. A volunteer firefighter for a decade with their department, he was eager to join up with the Bowen Island force. He did so just a year later, first fulfilling a promise to restore the home he and his wife purchased before tackling any new challenges.
“I had no idea what to expect… the department here on Bowen was so well established and tight knit,” recalls Steve. “They took a fairly big leap of faith taking me on as a volunteer and letting me into their family. So I was pretty honoured by that and also a little terrified all at the same time. But I did it, and I’ve never looked back.”
In addition to the valuable experience Edwards brought to day-to-day firefighting operations, he’s also made a heavy push toward expanding the force’s profile in the community. These include an annual presence at Canada Day festivities (best popularized by a fire hose spray down to wrap up the event) and the highly popular Hot Summer Nights, where families stop by to explore fire trucks and equipment, and of course have a turn spraying the big hose.
“When we go to a fire or medical event it’s all hands on deck. Everybody has a job to do and there’s not a lot of time to have a conversation with somebody,” Edwards explains about the usual job duties. But during special events, “I get to stand and have a conversation with people about whatever they’re interested in, and I can tell them what I’m interested in, and we can share stories and showcase what we do as a fire department.”
“It’s a unique setting because it allows us the opportunity to do something that we all want to do, but we can’t normally do because the time doesn’t permit. They’re really fun events and they’re what a fire department should do,” he says.
Edwards speaks passionately about chemistry among the firefighters, and the strong support from team leaders. “We have a fantastic team at the top with Aaron Hanen, Ian Thompson and Mike Hartwick supporting us. I don’t think there’s been one of these ideas that I’ve gone to Aaron with and he said we’re not going to do that… He’s been so supportive of everything.” This also includes a weekly strength and conditioning class at the Fire Hall for team members.
As for those team members, “Camaraderie wise it’s like no other job… you’re relying on these people not just as co-workers, but the situations can get quite tense and emotional at times depending on the kind of call that you’re on. To be able to lean on these people and rely on these people in those moments is like no other experience,” says Edwards.
Steve’s role on the Bowen Island fire scene expanded this Spring when he added the position of FireSmart Coordinator to his resume. He describes the experience as “drinking from the fire hose of knowledge.”
“I feel like I’m still climbing, I don’t feel like I’ve comfortably plateaued yet… but we’ve made some pretty significant moves in terms of wildfire resiliency here on Bowen in a pretty short period of time,” he explains.
Initiatives already completed include a new green waste collection available free for Island residents at the Fire Hall on Adams Road, and dozens of Home Ignition Zone Assessments completed so far this year. “I’ve been working pretty diligently within the framework of the FireSmart program to bring this to Bowen and have some really meaningful conversations with the people that live here.”
Outside of the fire department Edwards holds a deep passion for the outdoors. He quickly became embedded with local running enthusiasts and clubs. Ultimately this led to Steve’s involvement in one of Bowen’s biggest annual races, the Handloggers Half Marathon.
Introduced to the event by race director Phil Osborne, the 21-km mountain trail race which takes place over Labour Day weekend is about to host its 12th edition. Edwards is now on the organizing committee for the competition which attracts hundreds of runners from Bowen, BC, and beyond.
“It seems to grow a little bit every single year. People like coming here for it and I think it’s also a way to showcase Bowen Island to people that come from off-island,” says Steve. “We get people to travel from out of the country to come to this race now so it really puts Bowen and the beauty of this place on the map.”
Reflecting on his Bowen Island home, Edwards says he sees just how much impact one person can have in a small town. “I think the biggest difference between living on Bowen and where I grew up in North Vancouver is that you can feel like a very small part of a very huge machine. When you live in the city if you want to affect some change or make a difference you can do it, but it’s going to be a lot of work,” he explains.
“When you move someplace that’s a little bit smaller, little things can make a difference. They’re very noticeable. And I’ve had a lot of success with that, and a lot of pretty rewarding times.”
Steve says he sees this impact all the time on the island. He mentions a recent incident where he came across a motorist who had got their car stuck in a ditch. Before he knew it several cars had stopped to help. “The way that people rally… to be a part of that and live in a community where that happens is pretty special.”
“That’s probably the most special piece to me. And to be able to do stuff within a community like that and call that my home is second to none,” says Edwards.
Keep an eye out for Steve in the Bowfest Parade on Saturday, and at the First Aid tent at the Bowfest Field throughout the afternoon.
