Joel Bellavance is an NFPA 1001 level 2 firefighter who received his qualification from Training Division in Texas. Joel contacted our fire department with the idea that he would volunteer his time here during daytime hours (when we typically have less volunteer firefighters to draw from) in exchange for the experience of responding to incidents and increasing his firefighting skills in our awesome training centre. This type of format is often referred to as a work experience program.
For us it seemed like a great idea and a win/win. We get some skilled assistance for free and Joel gets to learn more about the fire service and sharpen and enhance his skills.
"For the past two years, I have been pursuing my dream of becoming a career firefighter. I have been taking the required qualifications and courses to apply to full-time departments throughout Canada. Many departments receive thousands of applications every year. I knew that becoming a volunteer firefighter and getting real work experience would greatly increase my chances of getting hired.
In the fall of 2014 I started researching several volunteer departments in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island, and after seeing the Comox Fire Rescue website and reading about Chief Schreiner and his department, I was very impressed. I contacted Chief Schreiner to see if there was an opportunity available and we arranged a mutually beneficial agreement.
I moved to Comox in January and started with the department right away. Everyone in the department has been very friendly and welcoming; they are like one big family. They all have a lot of experience, training and knowledge and I have been like a sponge soaking it all up!"
- Joel
Joel has been a great fit for us. He has already bonded with many of our firefighters and has made a very positive impact in his short time with us. He volunteers about three full days a week in our station which greatly improves our overall response time. Joel has also helped with many of our public services such as our smoke alarm campaign, station tours, and youth programs to name a few. Joel has already responded to over a dozen incidents.
Chief Schreiner states: “I am very impressed with our first try at a work experience program and I think we will be looking at expanding this opportunity to others in the future. Joel has been a great asset and is well suited to a fire service career.”
"When I'm on my feet, I'm off my meds."
- Jose Santiago, SPC US Army. Survivor.
Wounded Warriors Canada is a non-profit organization that helps Canadian Forces members who have been wounded or injured in their service to Canada. They help find therapeutic programs and solutions for military men and women in need. Currently, their primary focus is on mental health and, particularly, the staggering impact of PTSD and Operational Stress Injuries.
To provide increased financial support and public awareness for Wounded Warriors Canada, the “Wounded Warrior Run BC” (WWRBC) was created. A team of dedicated runners will relay run the length of Vancouver Island for six consecutive days, starting Sunday, 15 Feb 2015 and finishing Friday, 20 Feb 2015. The journey will begin in Port Hardy and end in Victoria at Saunders Subaru, covering an excess of 600 km.
Thanks to everyone for coming out to support today's leg of the run which started in Campbell River and went through the Courtenay Legion, Comox Legion, and Comox 888 Sqn RCAF Association between 2:00 and 4:00pm.
Comox Firefighters continue their strong support to “You Are Not Alone” (YANA)
Here Comox Firefighters present a cheque of $4,228.35 to YANA's Ocean Varney. The Comox firefighters recently collected these funds at their annual Christmas Tree recycling event. The Comox firefighters have held this event for over twenty-five years.
Chief Gord Schreiner states: “I am so proud of our firefighters for everything they do. Not only do they respond to emergencies but they assist our community in so many other ways.” YANA's Ocean Varney states: “The support from these firefighters in Comox has been awesome. They have been with us since our early beginnings.”
Comox firefighters thank everyone who contributed to this wonderful event.
"A 4.6 magnitude earthquake hit 13 kilometres east northeast of Tofino at 6:02pm.
No Tsunami warning is expected.
Taimi Mulder, Seismologist with Geological Survey of Canada says the quake was 40 kilometres deep.
Josie Osbourne, the Mayor of Tofino says it was a short, sharp quake with no damage.
People from Ahousaht to Campbell River, from Gold River to the Comox Valley report feeling the shaker. No reports of damage but people say they felt rolling waves. Some said china cabinets shook while others say it knocked them off the couch."
- Source: Chek TV
Comox Fire Rescue offers a free Personal Emergency Preparedness (PEP) course held on the third Friday of each month which you can sign up for through the Comox Recreation Centre (http://comox.ca/recreation or 250-339-2255).
You can also stop by our fire station to pick up your 72 Hour: Emergency Preparedness guide, or download a digital copy by clicking here!
Comox Firefighters donate an AED to Comox Valley Emergency Plan (CVEP), Emergency Operation Centre.
Comox Firefighters have donated another automatic external defibrillator (AED), this time to the Comox Valley Emergency Plan (CVEP), Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) located on Moray Avenue in Courtenay. Chief Gord Schreiner states: “The EOC plays a critical role in any Valley wide emergencies. We have a regular monthly meeting there and conduct exercises a couple times per year at that location. Having attended many of these functions I noted that this place of high importance and high stress should have an AED in it. I brought up the idea to our firefighters and they were quick to fill the request. The funds for this project are generated through our Comox Fire Training Centre where we direct any profits back into the community - a WIN/WIN for everyone”.
CVEP coordinator, Mike Fournier states: “This is a great addition to our Emergency Operations Centre. We hope we never need to use it but it is comforting to know that it is there.”
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) can strike at any time—during work, while at church, or while visiting your local business. Fewer than 10% of SCA victims typically survive, but studies show that 30% to 50% would likely survive if CPR and AEDs were used within five minutes of collapse. Communities across the country are responding by implementing Public Access Defibrillation programs. Public Access Defibrillation programs include both access to AEDS and training.
Comox Fire Rescue knows the value of AEDs as they carry AEDs on most of their emergency vehicles and have donated several more throughout the Valley.
Please contact Comox Fire Rescue at firehall@comox.ca if you have any questions.
