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.
Kidde has recalled a talking CO and smoke combination detector, specifically the Nighthawk KN-COSM-IBCA and KN-COSM-ICA units. For more information, see the following Government Canada publication: http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2016/60990r-eng.php
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!