“It’s something that’s international and worldwide. You can show up anywhere in the world and drop into a fire hall and mention that you’re a firefighter and they will go, ‘Come on in,’ ” says Phillips, who retired a decade ago after a 34-year career with West Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services.
Last month, Phillips discovered that sense of camaraderie and connection was still intact, except this time he found he was the one being dropped in on.
Over the May long weekend, dozens of firefighters representing all three North Shore fire departments drove by Phillips’ home on East 20th Street, much to the excitement of neighbours and the delight of his family.
As the drivers and crews of 14 fire vehicles made their slow advance along the street, the drive-by was a clear gesture to honour one of their own – and for a good reason.
On March 1, Phillips was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
“I thought I’d pulled a muscle or torn something when I was in the gym, working out. I lowered the weights a bit, popped a Tylenol, and kept going,” he says.
His wife, Kerry, knew better and told him to get it checked out after the pain in his stomach and back persisted.
He went in for an X-ray. He visited a physio as well, which initially helped with the pain a great deal – but the results of the X-ray ultimately compelled his doctors to send him for an ultrasound, followed by a CT scan.
“If I hadn’t gone to the doctor initially, it could have been pushed off another two months,” he notes.
The cancer has since spread to his liver and lymph nodes. His treatment continues.
He shares an important message he’s learned during his health ordeal so far: “Pay attention to your body.”
The fire truck drive-by may have been a simple gesture, but it carried a strong message – just ask any youngster, 100-year-old, or health-care worker who has received their own fire truck parade during the pandemic.
“It was more to raise his spirits and show that he’s cared for by so many across the North Shore, by many that are still working today,” says Dan Pistilli, retired fire chief of North Vancouver City Fire Department, who organized the uplifting drive-by with the help of West Vancouver’s fire department.
Although Pistilli and Phillips worked in different municipal fire departments over the decades, they often found themselves side by side during call-outs, a testament to the interwoven relationship between North Shore fire halls.
“The three departments work very closely together,” says Pistilli, whose professional relationship with Phillips also extends to the personal – he was the best man at Phillips’ wedding. “We’re very close.”
As the firefighters in their trucks came cruising along the street, neighbours ventured to the curb to take in the impressive sight.
Phillips stood there beaming, decked out in his formal dress uniform. His wife and three adult children wore the helmets that Phillips had held onto from throughout his career.
They waved and cheered as Phillips was properly feted by his peers and colleagues – many of whom were firefighters he didn’t even know but who had come to uplift the spirits of one of their own nonetheless.
“I was awestruck by it. I couldn’t believe that this many guys and trucks showed up. I don’t think it’s ever happened before where they’ve had this many,” says Phillips.
When the North Shore News reached Phillips by phone last week, more than a month after the fire truck parade, he’d had a rough spell following a recent medical intervention. “This morning the pain hit again,” he told the News.
But a positive note lingered in his voice.
Like someone who has spent decades fighting fires with force and fervour, he vows to keep at it when asked what’s next.
“I’ll continue to fight this.”
