Prevention, Emergency Response, and the Comox Fire Training Centre
Comox Fire Rescue provides a variety of preventive and emergency services to a population of over 18,000 in an area of 16 square miles. This includes the Town of Comox, the Comox Fire Protection Improvement District, the Bates Huband Local Service Area (Regional District of Comox-Strathcona), and the Comox Indian Band. They also operate the Comox Fire Training Centre, which trains firefighters from all over Vancouver Island, and even parts of BC and the rest of Canada. The training centre is certified by the JIBC.
At Comox Fire Rescue, a little rain won't stop us from having a P.A.R.T.Y.!
The Prevention of Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth (PARTY) program is delivered to grade 11 and 12 students all across Canada to help them make good decisions and realise the effects of bad decisions.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), firefighters are much more likely to develop digestive, oral, respiratory, and urinary cancers, as well as malignant mesothelioma - a rare type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. This increase of cancer is directly linked to increased exposure to fire and its by-products.
At Comox Fire Rescue, we are constantly taking steps to minimize these risks. Earlier this year we issued all of our members a second balaclava. After a fire, members can immediately put their balaclava in a bin to be laundered and wear their spare. Now we've taken it a step further and set up a rack of complete sets of spare turnout gear.
Gear worn into a fire can be immediately taken out of service and spare gear worn while the soiled gear is being laundered.
Chief Schreiner states: “Firefighter cancer prevention is now a vital component of fire services. We have taken several steps to reduce our firefighters exposure to products that increase the chance of getting a cancer. Making replacement gear available is one of those steps.”
A big "thank you!" to everyone who came out to show their appreciation for our past and current Armed Forces members. It was a beautiful day (typical West Coast rain) for the ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the battle of the Somme.
Town of Comox residents and businesses are reminded that selling, trading, buying and holding (storing) fireworks are PROHIBITED within Town boundaries. In addition, no person is permitted to possess, detonate, discharge or otherwise use fireworks without a valid Fireworks Permit. Very limited permits are issued for community events open to the general public only. For more information, please see http://comox.ca/modx/assets/pdfs/bylaws/Bylaw%201721-Fireworks%20Regulation.pdf or contact the Fire Department.
On behalf of the Town of Comox, have a safe and fun-filled Halloween night!
From Environment Canada:
Strong winds that may cause damage are expected or occurring.
The second in a series of powerful October storms will arrive Thursday evening over the South Coast. Rain and very strong winds can be expected with that storm.
Southeast winds up to 80 km/h can be expected over East Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast and up to 100 km/h over West Vancouver Island. As the low crosses Vancouver Island the winds will shift to southwest 50 gust 90 km/h. These winds will ease midday Friday as the low tracks further inland.
Winds this strong can topple trees and take down power lines. Power outages should be expected.
Avoid wooded areas to prevent injury from falling trees or branches. Campers should move to sturdy shelters.
Wind warnings are issued when there is a significant risk of damaging winds.
Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to pacificstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports to #BCStorm.
