May 2nd, 2025
At Commissionaires Nova Scotia, service doesn’t stop when the uniform comes off. In celebration of National Volunteer Week, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on ten of our dedicated commissionaires. They give their time, energy, and hearts to causes across Nova Scotia, from firefighting and search and rescue to community development and international outreach.
In Canada, National Volunteer Week is observed in late April or early May each year. This week, April 28 to May 3, marked the 2025 National Volunteer Week; a time to recognize and celebrate the countless Canadians who selflessly give their time to make our communities stronger.
Whether it’s responding to a 911 call, supporting youth sports, or raising funds for global education, each of these volunteers exemplifies what it means to be a commissionaire, both in and out of uniform. Their stories demonstrate the humanity of service: the quiet dedication, unwavering duty, and deep-rooted compassion that define what it truly means to give back. Through their experiences, we see that volunteering isn’t just an act; it’s a reflection of character, and a commitment to something greater than oneself.
Blazing a Trail
Ryan Ingalls – Volunteer Firefighter, Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency
“I’ve always looked for ways to make a difference in the lives of others. Volunteering as a Firefighter let’s me do that in an impactful way,” said Commissionaire Ingalls reflecting on his calling to serve.
During a winter snowstorm, Ingalls spent an exhausting weekend on call at the fire station, answering emergency after emergency. Each call carried urgency; each response was a chance to change the course of someone’s worst day. For him, volunteering isn’t just about showing up. It’s about being the steady presence in moments of crisis, the reassuring voice when hope feels distant. The challenges he faces forge lessons and skills that shape him in ways he never imagined.
“Volunteering as a firefighter is being given the chance to turn the course of events for someone who may be having the worst day of their life,” he explained, his words carrying the weight of experience from answering urgent calls and standing steady in moments of crisis to offering reassurance when fear takes hold. “I’m helping make a difference for my community when it counts most.”
Burning with Purpose
Lloyd Rideout – Volunteer Firefighter at Brooklyn Volunteer Fire Department & Auxiliary in Newport, NS
For over 15 years, Commissionaire Lloyd Rideout has dedicated himself to service, as a volunteer firefighter at the Brooklyn Volunteer Fire Department & Auxiliary in Newport, NS. His inspiration is simple yet powerful: “to help people when they need it most”. Whether responding to emergencies or supporting the fire department’s auxiliary, Rideout has built lasting connections. Meeting so many people has been one of the most rewarding aspects of his volunteer path, reinforcing his belief in the strength of community.
In 2024, Rideout received the Volunteer of the Year Award, an unexpected but meaningful recognition of his commitment. “A nice surprise,” he called it, but for him, volunteering isn’t about awards; it is about stepping up when his community needs him. “It means helping people who are in need at the time,” he says, summing up the heart of his service. His actions, whether fighting fires, providing support or simply showing up, embody the true spirit of dedication.
Where There’s Smoke, There’s Service (and Sometimes a Cat)
Kirk Fredericks – Volunteer Firefighter, Wolfville Fire Department
For Commissionaire Kirk Fredericks, service has always been a calling, one he’s answered both as a commissionaire and a volunteer firefighter of over 34 years. “I never had the honour of serving my country in uniform,” shared Fredericks when asked why he volunteers. “Serving as a firefighter and working as a commissionaire let’s me give back to Canada in a small way.”
He takes pride in his volunteerism and work, ensuring safety and offering help to his community when its needed most. A moment that has stayed with him over the years is the rescue of a cat trapped 30 feet up in a tree. For 24 hours their pet cat was stuck. When he arrived young twin girls stood in their driveway, filled with fear and hope, watching and waiting for someone to save their pet. When Fredericks succeeded in bringing down the cat, the relief and joy in their faces made the challenge worth it. Now grown and working as schoolteachers, the sisters still remember his act of kindness, proof that even small gestures can leave lasting impressions.
Kindness Sparks
Pierre Sibley – Volunteer Firefighter, Station 33, New Glasgow Fire Department
Growing up near Station 30 in North Sydney, Commissionaire Pierre Sibley watched local firefighters with admiration, not realizing they shaped his path in ways he couldn’t yet understand. As a child the Station 30 firefighters took him under their wing, fostering his passion for service and inspiring him to become a volunteer firefighter himself.
Years later he learned a remarkable truth, one of those same firefighters had rescued him from a housefire when he was just a baby. That full circle moment transformed his sense of purpose, turning his dedication into something deeply personal.
Now, as a commissionaire and volunteer firefighter, Sibley carries forward the same spirit of services that once shaped him. “Being a volunteer firefighter fills my heart with the good I do in our community, and what I can give back,” he said. For him every call is more than just a duty, it is an opportunity to be there for others, just as someone was there for him all those years ago. Service has a lasting impact, proving acts of kindness can echo through time and inspire new generations of volunteers.
Sounding the Alarm and Raising the Choir
Avis McNutt – Bible Hill Fire Brigade & First United Church
For over 15 years, Commissionaire Avis McNutt has served as a volunteer firefighter and dedicated member of the First United Church on Council and in the Choir. Volunteering is more than a commitment for McNutt, it’s a way of life. Inspired by a family rooted in service with parents, a husband and parents-in-law all dedicated volunteers, the drive to give back was instilled.
Each role offers a unique opportunity to strengthen community, whether responding to emergencies, providing support, or lifting spirits through song. Volunteering is a reflection of shared values and desire to make a difference. Among the experiences, the camaraderie built over the years remains the most cherished for McNutt.
Volunteering is more than an act, as McNutt describes, “It’s a feeling of giving back.” It is a way to lift up others, and to stand alongside them contributing in ways that matter.
Duty, Dedication and a Dash of Fun
Jess Pike – Halifax Search & Rescue
Commissionaire Jess Pike has dedicated herself for over 15 years to Halifax Search & Rescue, driven by a desire to give back to her community. What began as a way to connect with others has evolved into a commitment to service. Whether responding to urgent callouts or assisting in critical rescue operations, Pike stands by the organizations mission: “We stand as one, so others might live.” These words aren’t just a motto, they define the unity and purpose that fuel her.
While search and rescue is often intense and demanding, Pike cherishes the moments that bring joy and connection, like participating in community parades. “It is a time to have fun and laugh. Which is a stark contrast to the majority of our call outs, ” she said. These events offer a chance to engage with the community in a different way, reinforcing the balance between service, camaraderie and the human connection that makes volunteering so meaningful.
Search, Rescue, Repeat
Michael Gray – Halifax Search & Rescue
Commissionaire Michael Gray has been a steadfast presence in Halifax Search & Rescue for nearly 35 years. It all began with a simple realization, “I saw the need and responded…and am still responding.” That decision lead to decades of service, helping countless individuals in some of their most vulnerable moments. His volunteer work has taken him to major disaster responses, including the recovery efforts for Swiss Air Flight 111, where he dedicated four out of six weeks assisting in operations.
Despite challenges, Gray describes his experience as “very satisfying and immensely fulfilling, though not for everyone.” The work demands resilience, commitment and the ability to handle emotionally intense situations. For those who step into the role, the rewards are immeasurable. His service is a testament to the power of dedication, a reminder that showing up time and time again makes all the difference.
Continuing the Call to Serve
Brandon Daniel – Team Rubicon Canada
For veteran and commissionaire Brandon Daniel, service didn’t end when he left the military, it simply took on a new form – as a commissionaire and volunteering with Team Rubicon. Through volunteering he found a mission that blends disaster relief with veteran support. “Volunteering, to me, is about more than just giving time, it’s about giving back in a way that aligns with my values,” he said. Whether coordinating recovery efforts or responding to emergencies, Daniel sees firsthand the impact of bringing veterans and first responders together to serve in communities in crisis.
One of his proudest moments came when he established Forward Operating Base during the Sackville Floods, a vital hub for relief operations. His dedication didn’t go unnoticed, he received a heartfelt shoutout from the Sackville Business Association, recognizing his leadership and commitment. “It’s not just about lending a hand, it’s about creating a network of individuals who share the same values of service and dedication,” Daniel reflected. For him, volunteering is not just an act of service, it’s a way of strengthening the bonds of community and solidarity.
Paddling Forward, Giving Back
Jim Johnson – Banook Canoe Club (Past President)
For Commissionaire Jim Johnson, volunteering is more than just a commitment, it’s a way to give back to a community that has shaped his family. Watching his daughter thrive at Banook Canoe Club, both physically and mentally, inspired him to step up and contribute. “It’s just paying it forward,” he said, reflecting on the positive impact the club and coaches have had. Becoming President of the club, he took on the responsibility of guiding the club through a challenging renovation while ensuring the summer programs continued uninterrupted, balancing hard work with deep fulfillment.
Through his leadership, Johnson has helped sustain the club as a welcoming space for families and aspiring athletes alike. A lot of dedication is required, but the reward, seeing young paddlers grow, develop confidence, and form lasting friendships, makes every effort worth it. For Johnson, Banook Canoe Club isn’t just a place for sport; it’s a second home and his service ensures future generations can experience the same sense of belonging and support his family has cherished.
Giving A Damn About Giving Back
Alex Handyside – Rotary International, Northwood Broadcasting, Eastern Front Theatre
For Commissionaire Alex Handyside, volunteering is more than a pastime, it’s a way of life. “I began volunteering as a way of saying ‘Thank you, Canada.’ I continue because I enjoy it, I love making a difference,” he said.
His commitment to service has taken many forms, from supporting Rotary International to Northwood Broadcasting and Eastern Front Theatre. Alongside a friend, he co-founded the Halifax Chapter of 100 Men Who Give A Damn, a charity that raised nearly $500,000 for twenty local organizations, making a lasting impact. Though the Halifax Chapter has since closed, its legacy continues through active groups worldwide.
Handyside’s dedication extends beyond structured initiatives, it’s personal. “When anyone asks me what I do in my spare time, I say “I volunteer”,” he shared. For him, service is about passion just as much as impact. As an usher, he gives back through his love of theatre, while his work as a broadcaster reflects his appreciation for music. Whether fundraising, supporting local communities or delivering essentials to youth in Uganda through Rotary International, Handyside sees volunteering not just as something he does, but a fundamental part of who he is.
We thank our commissionaires and community members who dedicate their time, energy and hearts to strengthening the places we call home. As leaders in service and security, commissionaires embody the spirit of volunteerism: protecting, supporting, and giving back in ways that make a difference. Your selfless service creates ripples of hope and resilience.
Every act of volunteerism is a testament to the power of compassion and commitment. Our commissionaires don’t just safeguard communities, they build them through selfless service and dedication. You are the backbone of our neighbourhoods, the quiet heroes creating lasting impact. Today and everyday we celebrate you, Happy National Volunteer Week!