A volunteer firefighter in our region is embarking on a long-distance run in hopes of raising enough money for a much-needed piece of equipment for the department. Tyler Marchand, probationary firefighter with Oro-Medonte Fire & Emergency Services (OMFES), will run 100 miles—the equivalent of 160 kilometres—making stops at all fire stations in the municipality over the course of the weekend. A new recruit and still in his probation period, Marchand is jumping into the new role with both feet. “I have two young boys – I remember my father being a volunteer firefighter as well. I just have these core memories of me jumping in the hall,” Marchand tells CTV News. “So, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do is showing my kids there’s more to life than another job and be part of the community.” Having recently moved to the area with his family, Marchand says he does a “crazy endeavour” every year, so this year, he wanted to do something for his new department. Fire Chief for OMFES Roree Payment says this has been a surprise undertaking and something that doesn’t happen very often, in fact, a first for his 25 years in fire services. “I can tell you it’s the first time I’ve ever been approached with something like this,” Payment tells CTV News. “And while it was very ambitious, I have to tip my hat to him and say he certainly rose to that occasion and he’s making it happen.” Marchand’s goal is to raise $60,000, which will go towards the purchase of a rescue vehicle called a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV). Those vehicles help fire crews in rural regions get to rescues quicker instead of having to walk into the bush. Payment says Oro-Medonte has diverse terrain and while the department has one UTV, the funds from the run will be used to purchase a second one and improve service across the municipality, helping firefighters get to people quicker. As if the lengthy run wasn’t challenging enough, Marchand has added a little twist for himself at the end. He plans on running his final mile in his full firefighting gear, which he says weighs close to 50 pounds. When CTV News caught up with Marchand at around noon on Saturday, he was about a quarter of the way through with 25 miles under his belt and 75 to go. He hasn’t been alone in his run, with different colleagues feeling inspired to join him at times along the way. Marchand is receiving the bulk of the money from three core sponsors: Dental Corps, Metropia and Georgian Communities. He has also been running a Go Fund Me page that’s been getting donations from the community. As for that final mile, well he says he’ll try to get through it with a smile.
