Meet Sicamous Fire Rescue Lieutenant Marko Hirvinen
Posted On: Jan 17, 2025
Tags: Featured , Live Here , Your Municipality

Lieutenant Marko Hirvinen made his childhood dream a reality when he became a firefighter. Inspired as a kid by the brave antics of firefighter-paramedics Johnny Cage and Roy Desoto in the television show “Emergency!”, Hirvinen now has over 20 years of experience dedicated to fire service.
“That show [Emergency!] inspired me more for the fire service than anyone could have imagined,” shares Hirvinen. “I started out as a volunteer firefighter in 2004 in Ontario and continued to be a part of the fire service in Alberta and now here in Sicamous.”
Having spent six years with Sicamous Fire Rescue, Lieutenant Hirvinen is responsible for driver and operator training. He also keeps firefighters up to date on wildland and wildfire events, highway events, road construction and relevant weather conditions.
“I believe every firefighter needs to have a set of core values to stand by,” Hirvinen says. “To be a firefighter is to be a part of something larger than yourself – always looking out for each other, maintaining situational awareness and always being willing to learn.”
When asked to share a memorable experience from his time with Sicamous Fire Rescue, Hirvinen reflected on the wildfire of 2021.
“I was absolutely astounded by the amount of community support we received from Sicamous families and businesses,” he says. “I could feel how we are valued for our role in the community, for going above and beyond our daily lives to serve the public and be there for the people when they really need us.”
Strategic planning is of utmost importance to Lieutenant Hirvinen when it comes to community safety. He commented on the importance of having a well-planned initial strategy and a backup strategy for if things go awry.
“I cannot say this enough – I enjoy the sense of pride and ownership I have for the community of Sicamous and being part of something larger than myself,” Hirvinen shares.
Outside of his role as lieutenant, Hirvinen is a registered professional forester. His work includes the completion of landscape level plans and assessments for much of Sicamous’ surrounding area. He is happiest in the great outdoors, where he enjoys fishing, hunting, hiking and cross-country skiing. After an outdoor adventure, you may find Hirvinen behind the barbeque cooking up something he caught.
“Just being in the forest can make everything right again,” says Hirvinen in closing. Sicamous Fire Rescue is grateful to have someone with Lieutenant Hirvinen’s experience and knowledge within the department.
If you see Lieutenant Hirvinen around the firehall, be sure to say hello!