The Havelock Fire Department in Nova Scotia keeps the community safe by responding to emergencies across 400 square kilometers of primarily woodland, residential, and agricultural areas. Captain Shawn Craven, a veteran of the service with 20 years of experience, shared some insights into his career, the department’s operations, and its vital role in their community.

Shawn’s Journey

Shawn’s entry into firefighting was unexpected. He hadn’t planned on joining the service, but after moving to a rural community in Ontario, two friends invited him to check out their local fire department. That invitation set him on a path that led to years of dedication to fire service.

After serving with the Central Frontenac Fire and Rescue Department in Ontario, Shawn relocated to Nova Scotia and has now been part of the Havelock Fire Department for ten years. His experience spans not only firefighting but also medical emergencies, as rural departments often serve as first responders, arriving on the scene before law enforcement or paramedics.

Serving A Rural Community

The Havelock Fire Department covers a big rural area, ensuring the safety of residents within the Municipality of Clare. This includes responding to approximately seventy-five emergency calls each year. Most of their calls are split between fire-related incidents and medical situations. Because of their location and short response times, they are frequently the first to respond at emergency scenes, managing a range of difficult situations before additional assistance arrives.

The department operates within a mutual aid system, collaborating with other fire departments in the Municipality of Clare. Collaborating like this is essential in large-scale emergencies, where neighbouring departments assist one another to ensure that all calls are met with the necessary resources and personnel.

“Having reliable fire apparatus is important,” he says. “When I arrived in Havelock, the station had just purchased a fire truck from MetalFab, and during any of our dealings with MetalFab, they have always been super approachable. It’s easy to reach them, and the level of dedication is unparalleled. I’ve never met a more generous group of people,” he stated.

“We have three apparatuses, and when it came time to replace our tanker, MetalFab was competitive on their pricing. Because we already had a relationship with them, it was easy to work with them, and because they are in the Maritimes, it was also another positive factor,” he went on to say.

The Firefighter Mentality

Despite his years of experience, Shawn is still committed to keeping things simple and accessible. He recognizes that each profession has its own insider jargon, but he seeks to communicate in a way that everyone understands. His focus is on clarity, ensuring that his team and the community understand the department’s mission and obligations.

To him, firefighting is more than just responding to calls; it’s also about continuous learning, teamwork, and adapting to new challenges. It’s about being there for your community. Each day is an opportunity to grow, whether it’s through training, responding to an unusual emergency, or educating the public on fire safety.

A Lifelong Commitment

For Shawn and his colleagues in the service, the motivation to serve comes from a deep-rooted sense of duty and camaraderie. What started as an unexpected opportunity evolved into a lifelong commitment to protecting others.

Their efforts ensure that people have a reliable fire department ready to respond in times of crisis, making their community a safer environment for everyone.