Two Kent public service mainstays were recently honoured by the Crown. 

District of Kent CAO Wallace Mah and Agassiz Fire Chief Gerald Basten received King Charles III Coronation Medals from Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon MP Brad Vis. Both men were nominated for their leadership and significant contributions to the community. Mah has served as a CAO for 34 years, while Basten recently celebrated his 40th year with the Agassiz Fire Department. 

"I am truly humbled to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal, and I thank MP Brad Vis and whoever nominated me for this prestigious recognition," Mah told The Observer. "My role in this capacity is to work with our elected political leaders, implement the goals that they want accomplished, and to serve our community well.  It is very rewarding when I have brilliant people in all levels of government including First Nation leaders that want to work together to foster change and growth in our community."

Mah said special thanks to Mayor Sylvia Pranger and the district council for their leadership, all those who supported him in his career and those who trusted him in his role to shape the community. 

Basten also received a 40-year service bar from the federal government. 

"I've been very lucky to have been able to work with the Aassiz Fire Department for 40 years," Basten said. "The Agassiz Fire Department is a highly skilled and well trained team of 32 firefighters providing fire and rescue services to the District of Kent, and I am extremely proud to have been a part of the growth and development." 

Looking back, Basten said his most challenging call of his career was during the atmospheric river event in 2021. Heavy rain triggered multiple landslides, two of which trapped hundreds of people along Highway 9. The AFD rescued nine people from flood waters after they had been pushed off the highway by the landslide, and local firefighters played a crucial role in rescuing 352 people between the two slides. 

"It is truly amazing that there were no serious injuries or fatalities that evening," he said. 

Basten is one of the founding board members of the AFD Charitable Society. Their annual golf tournament helped raise funds for the future Lets'emot Regional Recreation and Aquatic Centre as well as a variety of organizations, including B.C. Children's Hospital and Agassiz-Harrison Community Services. 

Across the country, 30,000 people will be awarded a King Charles III Coronation Medal to recognize people who have made significant contributions to their province and to Canada.