Captain (Retired) Gary “Rocky” Rockburn began his volunteer firefighter career with the Kanata Fire Department in 1990.  With a deep passion for Firefighting and helping out in his community, he served for over 30 honourable years with the City of Ottawa. 
Rocky, as he is more commonly known, has served as a Recruit Training Instructor for 28 of those years, and rose through the ranks to become the Station Captain of both Stations 41 and 46. When not giving his time to the Ottawa Fire Service Rural Division, he is employed as a Evidence Control Officer with the Ottawa Police Service where he has been employed for over 19 years. Captain Rockburn continues to serve with the Ottawa Fire Service as an Auxiliary Recruit Training Officer responsible for the training and mentorship of future Firefighters. 
 

On July 25th, 1993, Rocky was off duty when he witnessed a car flip over on to its roof and heavy smoke beginning to billow out. His extensive training and experience kicked in and he immediately leaped into action. Running over to the vehicle, he reached in and began to pull the trapped victim out, and dragged him to safety a few meters away. For these heroic actions that day, he was awarded the First Firefighter Award of Bravery. The highest Honour a Firefighter can receive.

The Gary Rockburn bursary will be awarded to an outstanding member who dedicated to the continuous learning of their craft. It will be awarded to someone who exemplifies Leadership as Captain Rockburn has throughout his career with the Ottawa Fire Service.


Award: $500