One of the most important services provided through the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) is fire suppression. In Area C, I believe that we are very fortunate to have local fire halls that are as well-equipped as any hall in the province, and we have an outstanding group of well-trained volunteer firefighters who are ready to quickly respond to most fire-related emergencies.
There are four fire departments within Area C. The Shuswap Fire Department with halls in Sorrento and Blind Bay has nine pieces of major apparatus and 40 volunteer members. Tappen/Sunnybrae Fire Department has three pieces of major apparatus and 26 volunteer members. White Lake Fire Department has two pieces of major apparatus and 20 volunteer members, while Eagle Bay Fire Department has three pieces of major apparatus and 13 volunteer members. Eagle Bay is currently a bit understaffed and is actively recruiting for additional volunteers.
Being a volunteer firefighter is a significant commitment. All volunteers are strongly encouraged to acquire their Basic Firefighters Certificate, which requires about 60 hours of training time, as well as home study, practical and written exams.
Ongoing training is a mandatory requirement for all levels of firefighters. It occurs every Tuesday evening at all fire halls in Area C, 52 weeks a year. Important concepts reviewed include: incident command, ventilation, hydrant and water shuttle operations, ropes and knots, communications, ground ladders, hose handling, emergency vehicle operations, pump operation, use of self-contained breathing apparatus, and a myriad of other critical skills.
Many members of the Area C fire halls participate in the live fire training exercises held in the spring and fall at the regional training centre in Salmon Arm. With a high proportion of Area C firefighters having good levels of experience and training, several members are live fire instructors at the regional training centre. Area C volunteers have provided a lead role in the Fire Prevention Team and the Fire Prevention Unit, and have provided lead instruction to Emergency Vehicle Operations Training offered regionally. Literally thousands of hours are spent every year by the Area C firefighters in training programs.
Thus far in 2013 there have been 212 fire calls in the CSRD, and 96, or 45 per cent of these were within Area C. Call distribution was as follows: Shuswap Fire Department-45, Tappen/Sunnybrae F.D.-40, Eagle Bay F.D.-six and White Lake F.D.-five calls.
Key projects in 2013 have included: an evaluation of dry fire hydrants in White Lake; evaluation of a designated superior tanker shuttle service which has the potential to reduce fire insurance rates in White Lake; construction of a hose drying tower at Shuswap Fire Hall #2; paving the parking lot at Eagle Bay Fire Hall; updating the plumbing at White Lake Fire Hall; entering GPS coordinates for all fire hydrants in Area C to improve dispatching; logging in high fire hazard locations and initiating pre-incident planning for many of these same locations.
In 2012, the four fire departments in Area C financially amalgamated with a common tax rate. This has facilitated standardization of equipment and pooling of resources to both reduce expenses and increase efficiencies in mutual aide calls. Public oversight is provided through the Sub-Regional Advisory Committee which meets twice yearly, and includes one volunteer from the public and an alternate for each of the four fire departments. Under the oversight of this committee, standardized compensation plans have been initiated to provide firefighters with basic compensation for both training and live calls.
On behalf of all residents in Area C, I would like to thank and congratulate each and every one of the firefighters in our area for their dedication and commitment to keeping all of us safe. It is volunteerism at its very best. If you would like to volunteer to be a fire fighter, please contact Kenn Mount, CSRD fire services coordinator, at 250-833-5945.