Verrall Clark Memorial Scholarship
Verrall Clark (1938–2020) dedicated his life making a difference in the firefighting profession, where he made invaluable contributions up until his retirement in 2003. Born in the rural community of Orillia in 1938, Verrall was the youngest of five children in a family of limited financial resources. At a young age, he learned the value of hard work and the need to pull together for the betterment and protection of all – qualities that are essential for a firefighter.
Seeking adventure and job opportunity, Verrall enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy at the age of 17, at a time when the Navy was intensely involved in the Cold War. Over the next 12 years, Verrall served first on surface ships and then as a submariner on the HMCS Onondaga. Verrall resigned from the Navy in 1967 to pursue a career that would allow him more time with his young family. His Navy experience had demanded rigorous self discipline, superb teamwork skills, respect for one’s superiors and country, and the ability to think and react quickly and confidently in rapidly changing, dangerous situations. These qualities stood him in excellent stead for his future as a firefighter.
In 1969, Verrall landed at the Chinguacousy Fire Department (amalgamated into the City of Brampton Fire Department in 1974) as a volunteer. Later that same year, he was hired as a permanent firefighter.
Keenly interested in furthering the health and economic welfare of the firefighters, Verrall served on the executives of both the local and provincial Fire Fighters Associations for 17 years. Verrall was elected President of the local Brampton Professional Fire Fighters Association almost continuously from 1974 to 1987 and as President of the Provincial Federation of Ontario Fire Fighters, and its successor, the Ontario Provincial Fire Fighters Association, from 1975 to 1987. A formidable advocate, Verrall achieved lasting improvements for firefighters at contract negotiations, interest arbitrations and Council meetings.
With his strong vision for the future of the Brampton Fire and Emergency Services, Verrall was promoted to the position of Deputy Fire Chief in 1987 and then to Fire Chief in 1992, a position he held until his retirement. Under Verrall’s strong leadership and direction, the Brampton Fire Department underwent a period of transformative change which saw, amongst other beneficial initiatives, the creation of three specialized teams: the Hazardous Material Team, the Automobile Extrication Team and the High Level Rescue Team. With the newly introduced tiered ambulance/fire/police response to life threatening emergencies, Verrall firmly entrenched the critical role of the Fire Services. A tireless proponent of personal health and fitness, Verrall proudly oversaw the establishment of the Department’s premier health and fitness program, the first of its kind to be established by a Canadian Fire Department. With Verrall’s enthusiastic support, the Brampton Fire and Emergency Services gained worldwide recognition for its Combat Challenge Teams, winning the Canadian Championships five times and the World Championships three times in the late 1990s.
During this period of change, Verrall remained accessible to his firefighters, never losing his appreciation for, and love of, the firefighters’ deep bond of camaraderie. A hallmark of Verrall’s tenure as Chief was his ‘Morning Visits’ whereby he visited a fire station each day to converse with the firefighters, relay important information, hear their concerns, offer encouragement and, always, share a laugh.
Retirement afforded Verrall the time to pursue the other pastimes he loved, including camping with his wife Debbie, portaging in Algonquin Park with his sons, travelling with friends and family, relaxing with his extended family around the campfire, watching the ‘old’ western movies and avidly following current events. However, the Fire Services always remained ‘top of mind’ and Verrall was immensely proud when his eldest son, Michael Clark, was promoted in 2014 to the position of Fire Chief of the Brampton Fire and Emergency Services.
The Verrall Clark Memorial Scholarship, established by Verrall’s wife Debbie Clark, honours the invaluable contributions that Verrall made to the firefighting profession. Having had to forge his career path ‘on his own,’ Verrall believed that all who dream of being a firefighter should have the opportunity, unimpeded by financial duress. He also believed that the best firefighters are those who are driven selflessly by their desire to protect the community that they serve. The scholarship will be awarded to a student in the Pre-Service Firefighter Program who embodies this through their demonstration of financial need and involvement in their community.
