Meet our Members: Cole Logan

This week on "Meet our Members", we interview Lieutenant Cole Logan!

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CFR: Could you provide a brief background of your fire service career?

I joined the Fire Service in 2002 following participation in the Comox Fire Rescue youth camp. After a short stint in Comox I moved to Northern BC where I was a Member of Taylor Fire Rescue as well as an Industrial Fire Firefighter and Rescue Technician. In 2005 I returned to Comox and continued my fire service career to date where I am currently a Lieutenant and lead instructor with CFR.

CFR: Was there any specific event that first interested you in becoming a fire fighter?

Backdraft

CFR: What is your favourite part of volunteering for Comox Fire Rescue (or working in the valley in general)?

Being able to live in such a beautiful town while serving its citizens is simply awesome. My favourite reason for Volunteering here is being able to enjoy the people, scenery, and the amenities the Comox Valley has to offer. Being able to give back to the community is truly rewarding.

CFR: Outside of the fire department, what are your interests/hobbies?

Camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, and spending time with family.

CFR: What are some major changes you have seen in the fire service industry during your career?

In the 13 years I have been around I have seen incredible advances in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and the tools we use, but the biggest advancement of all that I have seen is the quality of training available to Firefighters.

CFR: If you could change one thing about the fire service, what would it be?

I would figure out a screening process that keeps out the people who are just here for the T-Shirt...

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Thanks very much to Cole Logan for his years of service and dedication to teaching new firefighters the skills required to stay safe and effective.

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Meet our Members: Rick Shelton

Rick Shelton, encouraged by friends who were already members of Comox Fire Department, joined in 1983. Over the following 33 years he has worked as a Volunteer Firefighter, a paid on call Lieutenant, Captain, and Training officer. In 2000 he was hired on full time as Assistant Chief of Operations and Training. The never ending task of training, along with duties such as equipment and vehicle maintenance, soon morphed into instruction and management of the Comox Fire Training Center. At the same time, Rick joined into a partnership with The Justice Institute of BC as an adjunct instructor of Fire Service Instructor, Emergency Scene Management and Live Fire programs. Rick is also enrolled in the JIBC Fire Officer Certificate program, and is nearing completion of Level 4. He also had the opportunity in 2010 to serve as a Fire/Rescue Team Leader at the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver/Whistler.

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CFR: Was there any specific event that first interested you in becoming a fire fighter?

Previously to working at Comox Fire Rescue, I owned and operated a Chimney Installation and maintenance Company and had watched the Fire Department at several chimney and structure fires.  It got me thinking that both parties could benefit from me joining up. I was an expert on chimneys, and was self employed and able to respond often.

CFR: What is your favourite part of working at Comox Fire Rescue (or working in the valley in general)?

The members and people involved with the organization. The job never gets tired, as management is always looking to the future and ways to make intelligent and innovative changes to better the organization and the fire service as a whole. Also, working with the Comox Fire Training Center has been very rewarding, as we strive to provide high level, cost effective certified training to firefighters from BC, Alberta and beyond.

CFR: Outside of the fire department, what are your interests/hobbies?

Travelling the world with my wife Debbie and our backpacks has been an enlightening experience since being convinced to follow this mode of travel by good friends. Experiencing different lands, cultures and their people have given us a different view on life, and the realization of just how lucky we are to work and live here in the Comox Valley. Fishing is another of my passions, I love being out on the water wherever we may be.

CFR: What are some major changes you have seen in the fire service industry during your career?

The initiation of training standards, and embracing an environment of safety as the top priority for our members.  

CFR: If you could change one thing about the fire service, what would it be?

The relationships between Career and Volunteer/POC departments and personnel. While significant progress has been made over the last decade, old school thinking and teachings are still prevalent. We must continue to work toward a complete brother/sisterhood in our vocation and should be setting of how working together makes us stronger.

Thanks very much to Assistant Chief Shelton for his years of dedicated service to the town of Comox!

Firefighter Fitness in Comox

For many years now Comox Fire Rescue has taken firefighter fitness very seriously. All new members must pass a fitness test before they join and all existing members take a fitness test each year.

One of the most common causes of death of firefighters is heart attack during high stress events. By increasing their fitness it is felt they can lower their risks at these high stress events.

A couple of years ago Comox Fire Rescue built their very own fitness centre located behind the fire station to ensure their members have quick and easy access to proper fitness equipment at all times. In addition to this Comox firefighters are granted use of the community owned fitness centre located at the Comox Community Centre. They have also installed a sauna for their firefighters at their fire station.

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Chief Schreiner states: “We really do encourage fitness. Our training centre includes our gym plus we have the five story tower where many of our firefighters run the stairs for exercise. We also work our firefighter pretty hard during training with all that we ask them to do like carry and drag hoses, carry large ladders, wear heavy equipment and carry our rescue dummies which can weigh up to 185 pounds. Further, during certain times of the year we schedule fitness sessions right into our weekly practices because we know it is no good to have a well trained firefighter who is not fit to perform at a high level.”

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Comox Fire Rescue has also changed the way they eat. Chief Schreiner states: “Our monthly dinner nights are now much healthier then they were in the past. We also encourage our members to get out and enjoy the outdoors. The Comox Firefighters Association has recently purchased two stand-up paddle boards for their firefighters to borrow and will be looking to acquire some other equipment like kayaks and bikes for the same.” Many of their firefighters get together from time to time to paddle or ride together. Comox Fire Rescue also checks the blood pressure of all of their firefighters before every practice. This small step alone has helped some of their members live a more prudent lifestyle.

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Chief Schreiner states: “A fit and healthy firefighter is a better firefighter in so many ways. This is a very challenging business, filled with lots of stresses. People who are fit can typically handle these stresses much better. By taking better care of ourselves we can take better care of the citizens we serve.”

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National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day

TOGETHER WE ARE PREPARED

Accomplish something great and organize neighbours, friends or a community group and participate in a project that reduces your wildfire risk.

Commit a couple of hours, or the entire day and join others throughout the nation making communities a safer place to live on Saturday, May 2, 2015. Challenge your neighbourhood, friends, family members, co-workers, community service group, youth organization, club or any eligible group to create a project and accomplish something great together! (click here to see the Official Rules for eligibility)

Efforts will raise community wildfire awareness, help protect homes and help neighbourhoods and entire communities work towards becoming FireSmart

In collaboration with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR), and The Co-operators, FireSmart Canada is pleased to present the first ever National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day on May 2, 2015.

During Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, communities across Canada are encouraged to participate in local mitigation projects to help reduce the risk of wildfire damage to their homes and neighbourhoods.

APPLY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN $500 FOR YOUR GROUP NEIGHBOURHOOD OR COMMUNITY!

Up to twenty $500 project funding awards available to implement neighbourhood projects. Apply February 9 – March 20, 2015.
 
GET NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR YOUR EFFORTS!

One community project will be chosen as the focus for national media launch on May 2!

Is your community working towards to becoming nationally recognized through the FireSmart Canada Community Recognition Program? Use this day as your FireSmart Day and enter to win $500 for use towards it! Visit www.firesmartcanada.ca/firesmart-communities, or email general@firesmartcanada.ca to find out more about the FireSmart Canada Community Recognition Program

HERE'S HOW TO APPLY:

1.     Read the Official Rules Click Here to Read and Consent and Release Click Here to Read.

2.     Come up with a great project idea! Click Here for Project Ideas and Safety Tips!

3.     Complete the Project Application Form Click Here to Access the Online Application Form. Answer all of the required questions (red asterisks). Provide a short overview of the project that you plan to undertake on the Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, Saturday, May 2, 2015. Make sure you describe the activity’s benefits, who the participants will be, the city and province or territory where it will occur and details on how the project funding will be used on May 2. APPLY BEFORE 11:59 PM Mountain Time (MT), March 20, 2015.

4.     Encourage friends, family and neighbours to demonstrate support for their favourite project idea by "liking" it on the FireSmart Canada Facebook page.

5.     Project funding applications can be submitted beginning Monday February 9, 2015, through Friday, March 20, 11:59pm MT. A panel will review applications and select up to 20 project award recipients. Winners will be announced Monday, March 31, 2015.

FOLLOW FireSmart Canada on Facebook

FOLLOW #IAM FireSmart on Twitter

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Meet our Members: Adam Lariviere

Adam is a NFPA 1001 level 2 firefighter who received his certification here at Comox Fire Rescue. Joining in 2012 at age 18, he became a fully qualified firefighter by age 19. He is in his last semester of the Criminology program at North Island College and works part time at the fire hall. Adam is a very skilled member and has responded to over 300 calls. Having him at the station during day time operating hours allows us to respond faster and more efficiently, greatly increasing the quality of our public service.

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"Growing up, I didn't really know what I wanted to do for a living. Participating in the semester-long Youth Program and the spring break Youth Camp set in stone that I wanted to pursue firefighting as my career. In June of 2012, I decided to make my dream a reality and join Comox Fire Rescue as a paid-on-call firefighter. With the help of some amazing instructors and incredible training facilities and opportunities, I became fully certified in October of 2013 and have continued to learn and grow as a firefighter. I feel very lucky to have my dad, along with the Comox training officers, mentor me in the fire service and help me learn as much as possible."

- Adam

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Chief Schreiner states: "Adam has been a great addition to our team and is one of a handful of father son teams we have. He is a very capable and well trained firefighter.  It is great to watch these young people grow into mature adults who are giving back to the communities they live in."