Longtime volunteer named Vancouver's Firefighter of the Year

A longtime volunteer has just been named Vancouver’s “Firefighter of the Year.”

Justin Mulcahy is the latest recipient of the Vancouver Fire Department’s highest and most prestigious award.

Mulcahy is a 13-year veteran of the force, with many achievements under his belt — including his volunteer work with the Snack for Kids program.

The volunteer-run program provides over 300,000 healthy snacks each year for two thousand vulnerable kids in over 40 Vancouver schools.

Justin Mulcahy/Marquardt Photography

The program provides each student with the option of a nutritious nut-free snack bar, a juice box, or fruit option each day.

Mulcahy is a proud volunteer and shares his recognition with all those that helped grown the program.

“It means a lot,” he said in a statement. “This is not an individual award. I’m proud that there are so many Vancouver firefighters who work on this project and people in the community that have backed it.”

Justin Mulcahy/Marquardt Photography

As a father himself, Mulcahy spends his free time outdoors as a marathon runner, as well as a player for the World Master Ultimate Team.

He believes that education allows students to climb out of unfortunate social circumstances and child hunger is a barrier to accessing a good education.