firefighters

The Horne Lake community is looking for fire protection services. (PQB News file photo)

RDN: Horne Lake residents call for enhanced fire protection services

Funds requested in 2022 budget for a feasibility study

 

Saanich firefighters rescued a crow Tuesday night after it flew down a chimney and got stuck. (Dan Wood/Twitter)

VIDEO: Saanich firefighters rescue ‘very vocal’ crow from fireplace chimney

Cat rescues somewhat common but crow call a first, says deputy fire chief

 

A still image from security camera video recorded June 8 shows an individual lighting trash on fire in the doorway of 19+ Cannabis Store on Victoria Crescent. RCMP and Nanaimo Fire Rescue are investigating numerous fires set in downtown Nanaimo in the past three months. (Photo submitted)

‘It’s out of control’: More than 20 fires set in downtown Nanaimo in past 3 months

Authorities asking business owners to keep dumpsters locked

 

Neighbours fight a small late-night bush fire with garden hoses and shovels in Cinnabar Valley on June 5. They couldn’t get help from local fire services because the fire was located in an area under B.C. Wildfire Services jurisdiction. (Photo courtesy Muriel Wells)

Neighbours on edge of Nanaimo city limits left to put out bush fire themselves

Cinnabar Valley residents tackle fire with hoses and buckets for two and a half hours

Neighbours fight a small late-night bush fire with garden hoses and shovels in Cinnabar Valley on June 5. They couldn’t get help from local fire services because the fire was located in an area under B.C. Wildfire Services jurisdiction. (Photo courtesy Muriel Wells)
Campers learn auto extrication at past year’s Camp Ignite. Photo supplied by Camp Ignite

‘Camp Ignite’ helps young B.C. women pursue firefighting careers

This year’s camp will be on Aug. 14 and Aug. 15 in Vancouver

Campers learn auto extrication at past year’s Camp Ignite. Photo supplied by Camp Ignite
A group of men in dress slacks, high collars, ties and tails, poses underneath an arching banner that says: “ALBERNI FIRE DEPT”. The sign features two leather firefighters’ helmets that were used during that time period. One of four celebrations at Alberni Fire Department held each year, (Halloween, New Years, July 1st and May Day), this may be a New Year’s Dance. The photo was taken in the Alberni Athletic Hall—possibly the old Athletic Hall (location of rescue hall and tennis courts). The men are identified from L-R: Dick Burke; Cameron Duff; D. Miles; P. Miles; Will Paul; E. White; George Forrest; Jock Redford; J. Forrest; G. Blady; E. McKay. The Alberni Valley Museum’s online photo archives are available to the public at https://portalberni.pastperfectonline.com. (PHOTO PN06546)

LOOK BACK: The Alberni Valley’s first fire department

Take a peek back into history with the Alberni Valley Museum

A group of men in dress slacks, high collars, ties and tails, poses underneath an arching banner that says: “ALBERNI FIRE DEPT”. The sign features two leather firefighters’ helmets that were used during that time period. One of four celebrations at Alberni Fire Department held each year, (Halloween, New Years, July 1st and May Day), this may be a New Year’s Dance. The photo was taken in the Alberni Athletic Hall—possibly the old Athletic Hall (location of rescue hall and tennis courts). The men are identified from L-R: Dick Burke; Cameron Duff; D. Miles; P. Miles; Will Paul; E. White; George Forrest; Jock Redford; J. Forrest; G. Blady; E. McKay. The Alberni Valley Museum’s online photo archives are available to the public at https://portalberni.pastperfectonline.com. (PHOTO PN06546)
A vehicle that was driven through the wall of a parkade at Uptown Shopping Centre and into the nearby Walmart on April 9 was removed through another hole in the wall later that night. (Photo via Saanich Police Department and Ayush Kakkar)

Vehicle launched into B.C. Walmart removed following rescue of trapped workers

Crews cut new hole in parkade wall to remove vehicle safely

A vehicle that was driven through the wall of a parkade at Uptown Shopping Centre and into the nearby Walmart on April 9 was removed through another hole in the wall later that night. (Photo via Saanich Police Department and Ayush Kakkar)
Bean, a small dog, got her head stuck in the reclining mechanism of a couch on Wednesday night. (Facebook/Kamloops Fire Rescue)

Kamloops fire crews free Bean the pup trapped in reclining chair

‘We don’t rescue cats out of trees anymore… but we do occasionally rescue dogs out of reclining couches!’

Bean, a small dog, got her head stuck in the reclining mechanism of a couch on Wednesday night. (Facebook/Kamloops Fire Rescue)
Firefighters from Beaver Creek Volunteer Fire Department practice their pumper truck aim in the field beside the firehall over the Feb. 6–7, 2021 weekend. (PHOTO COURTESY MIKE KOBUS)

Beaver Creek firefighters train with pump truck

Justice Institute instructor introduces newbies to new skill

Firefighters from Beaver Creek Volunteer Fire Department practice their pumper truck aim in the field beside the firehall over the Feb. 6–7, 2021 weekend. (PHOTO COURTESY MIKE KOBUS)
Members of the Saanich Fire Department can be seen working to put out a fire in the 4500-block of Chattertown Way on Jan. 26. (Saanich Fire/Twitter)

One cat killed, another resuscitated following blaze in Saanich townhouse

Neighbours evacuated following fire on Chatterton Way, third cat still missing

Members of the Saanich Fire Department can be seen working to put out a fire in the 4500-block of Chattertown Way on Jan. 26. (Saanich Fire/Twitter)
Katie Kelly, left, and Dean Williams from KidSport and Port Alberni Fire Dept. members Cail Low and Andre Guerin collect dozens of used Christmas trees for donation to KidSport on Jan. 2, 2021. Donations will help Alberni Valley kids participate in sports, while the trees will be chipped and used as mulch in the city’s parks and recreation areas. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Dozens of Christmas trees collected for chipping

Donations will help KidSport in Port Alberni

Katie Kelly, left, and Dean Williams from KidSport and Port Alberni Fire Dept. members Cail Low and Andre Guerin collect dozens of used Christmas trees for donation to KidSport on Jan. 2, 2021. Donations will help Alberni Valley kids participate in sports, while the trees will be chipped and used as mulch in the city’s parks and recreation areas. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Firefighters Rob Favel, left, from Beaver Creek VFD, Wendy Stander from Sproat Lake VFD and Lt. Ryan Devries from Cherry Creek VFD accept 75 teddy bears from Port Alberni Toy Run members Robin Klatt, second from left, and Greg Philpott, second from right. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Rural fire departments receive Port Alberni Toy Run teddy bears

Bears were purchased and donated back by supporters

Firefighters Rob Favel, left, from Beaver Creek VFD, Wendy Stander from Sproat Lake VFD and Lt. Ryan Devries from Cherry Creek VFD accept 75 teddy bears from Port Alberni Toy Run members Robin Klatt, second from left, and Greg Philpott, second from right. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
The Saanich Fire Department is calling for residents to be fire smart as they deck the halls for the holidays. (Black Press Media file photo)

Vancouver Island firefighters offer safety tips to avoid holiday fires

Candles, damaged lights, dry trees and smoking can all lead to house fires

The Saanich Fire Department is calling for residents to be fire smart as they deck the halls for the holidays. (Black Press Media file photo)
A fire structure protection unit responds to a call in Campbell River. Mayors from smaller communities are voicing their need for more provincial funding to cope with the rising cost of fire services and equipment. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror.

B.C.’s smaller communities want a better solution for funding fire protection

Rural mayors asking the province for help with the rising cost of equipment and training

A fire structure protection unit responds to a call in Campbell River. Mayors from smaller communities are voicing their need for more provincial funding to cope with the rising cost of fire services and equipment. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror.
This photo provided by the Unified Fire Authority shows a Utah fire crew member on the scene working to protect the town of Butte Falls in southern Oregon on Sunday, Sept. 13. 2020. This year’s fires have taxed the human, mechanical and financial resources of the nation’s wildfire fighting forces to a degree that few past blazes did. And half of the fire season is yet to come. Heat, drought, and a strategic decision to attack the flames early combined with other factors to put a historically heavy burden on fire teams. (Matthew McFarland/Unified Fire Authority via AP)

B.C., Alberta sending nearly 300 fire personnel by Friday to help battle wildfires in Oregon

Some 230 firefighters, most from British Columbia but including a number from Alberta, will be deployed Friday

This photo provided by the Unified Fire Authority shows a Utah fire crew member on the scene working to protect the town of Butte Falls in southern Oregon on Sunday, Sept. 13. 2020. This year’s fires have taxed the human, mechanical and financial resources of the nation’s wildfire fighting forces to a degree that few past blazes did. And half of the fire season is yet to come. Heat, drought, and a strategic decision to attack the flames early combined with other factors to put a historically heavy burden on fire teams. (Matthew McFarland/Unified Fire Authority via AP)
The Port Alberni Fire Department is located on 10th Avenue. (AV NEWS FILE PHOTO)

Port Alberni fire engine replacement goes over budget

New truck will cost $200K more than first thought: Chief Owens

The Port Alberni Fire Department is located on 10th Avenue. (AV NEWS FILE PHOTO)
Port Alberni firefighters make a donation of $500 to the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund. (SCREENSHOT)

Port Alberni firefighters raise $500 for Burn Camp

To date, Port Alberni has raised $13,000 for the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund

Port Alberni firefighters make a donation of $500 to the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund. (SCREENSHOT)
Firefighters line Johnston Road to pay their respects to Lt. Ron Suits. Suits’ remains were returned to Port Alberni on Wednesday, July 29 by the Sproat Lake Volunteer Fire Department. Suits’ wife, Leanne, and daughter, Rebecca, were also in the truck. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

Procession held for fallen Vancouver Island firefighter

Sproat Lake volunteer firefighter Lt. Ron Suits died at the scene of a barn fire on July 16

Firefighters line Johnston Road to pay their respects to Lt. Ron Suits. Suits’ remains were returned to Port Alberni on Wednesday, July 29 by the Sproat Lake Volunteer Fire Department. Suits’ wife, Leanne, and daughter, Rebecca, were also in the truck. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
Lieutenant Ron Suits was a firefighter with Sproat Lake Volunteer Fire Department for four and a half years until he died while working a fire on July 16, 2020. (PHOTO COURTESY SPROAT LAKE VFD)

Vancouver Island fire departments to hold service for fallen firefighter

Sproat Lake volunteer firefighter Lt. Ron Suits died at the scene of a barn fire on July 16

Lieutenant Ron Suits was a firefighter with Sproat Lake Volunteer Fire Department for four and a half years until he died while working a fire on July 16, 2020. (PHOTO COURTESY SPROAT LAKE VFD)
Firefighters aboard the post-war fireboat Frank Harrison practice on the Somass River in 1955. There were two Port Alberni fireboats called Frank Harrison: the second was built in 1977 in North Vancouver by John Dunn Co. Ltd. and replaced by the Harbour Chieftain in 2010. This is one of nearly 24,000 photos in the Alberni Valley Museum’s digital collection. See more at https://portalberni.pastperfectonline.com. Many of the history books cited in the Look Back series are available at the museum. (PN02605 COURTESY ALBERNI VALLEY MUSEUM)

A LOOK BACK: Port Alberni’s fireboats

Delve into the city’s past with the Alberni Valley Museum’s online digital archives

Firefighters aboard the post-war fireboat Frank Harrison practice on the Somass River in 1955. There were two Port Alberni fireboats called Frank Harrison: the second was built in 1977 in North Vancouver by John Dunn Co. Ltd. and replaced by the Harbour Chieftain in 2010. This is one of nearly 24,000 photos in the Alberni Valley Museum’s digital collection. See more at https://portalberni.pastperfectonline.com. Many of the history books cited in the Look Back series are available at the museum. (PN02605 COURTESY ALBERNI VALLEY MUSEUM)