Safety tips for Halloween

Children dressed in costumes excitedly running door to door to trick-or-treat, festive decorations like glowing jack-o-lanterns, paper ghosts and dried cornstalks adorning front porches – these are some of the classic hallmarks of Halloween that make the holiday special for kids and adults alike.

Unfortunately, these Halloween symbols and activities can also present lurking fire risks that have the potential to become truly scary. But by planning ahead, you can help make this Halloween a fire-safe one. Taking simple fire safety precautions like keeping decorations far away from open flames and using battery-operated candles or glow-sticks in jack-o-lanterns can help ensure your holiday remains festive and fun.

Click HERE to download Halloween Safety Tips PDF

Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives!

Comox Fire Chief Gord Schreiner would like to remind you that working smoke alarms really do save lives.

A working smoke alarm could very well be the best investment you ever make to protect your family and property. Every second counts if a fire were to start in your home. Many homes have smoke alarms that do not work because the batteries are dead or have been removed. Batteries should be replaced every six months and alarms replaced every ten years.

Chief Schreiner states: ”It is always surprising to us how many homes do not have working smoke alarms. They cost very little and really can make a very big difference. If you live in the Town of Comox or the Comox fire Protection District and need help with your smoke alarms please call our fire station at 250-339-2432 and we will assist you. Last year we gave away over 200 smoke alarms.”

Remember “SMOKE ALARMS REALLY DO SAVE LIVES”

Black Helmets await for Recruits in training.

Four recruits of Comox Fire Rescue are nearing completion of their NFPA 1001/2 training after over a year of training.  Once completed, they are rewarded with black turn-out PPE and a black helmet, which is theirs to keep forever.

“It takes a large amount of dedication and commitment and training to become a firefighter.” states Comox Fire Chief Gord Schreiner. “These great members have worked very hard over the last year, in addition to responding to incidents of all kinds.”

Katherine Braaten, Delaney Carr, Elie Dewulf and Trevor Molloy joined in Spring of 2019. The group is currently working very hard on the Interior Firefighting portion of their training.

“Completing the 1001 Playbook program takes dedication and commitment to training and the organization.” says Rick Shelton, Assistant Chief Of Operations and Training.

Comox Fire Rescue is a certified JIBC facility and trains and certifies all our members in house.

 “We are very fortunate to be able to provide the certification at Comox Fire for our members.  The Officers and instructors work very hard to provide great training for all our members.” says Schreiner. “It is people like this that makes our organization so strong.”

For more information on recruiting or Comox Fire Rescue, contact: firehall@comox.ca

http://www.comoxfirerescue.org

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): Lessons for Life

Comox Fire Rescue will be teaching a Free CPR Level A to citizens of the Comox Valley. This class will cover the skills needed to respond to cardiovascular and choking emergencies. Registration is required.

COVID-19 Protocols and distancing will be in place for this course also.

Contact the Comox Recreation Centre to register: www.comox.ca/recreation or 250-339-2255 info@comox.ca

The course is held at the Comox Fire hall - 1870 Noel Ave. on the following dates:

Friday, Oct 23

Friday, Nov 20

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Comox Fire Rescue donates Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarms to K’ómoks First Nations.

Comox Fire Rescue has teamed up with First Alert to provide free smoke/carbon monoxide alarms to members of the K’ómoks First Nation (KFN) community.

Comox Fire Rescue recognizes the value of having working smoke/carbon monoxide alarms.

Comox Fire Rescue, Gord Schreiner states: “We have a great relationship with KFN and have been providing them with full-service fire protection for many years. We are working hand in hand with them to try to ensure that all their homes having working alarms. As we all know, working alarms can saves lives”.

KFN members can contact or visit the Band office to pick up their free smoke/carbon monoxide alarms.

Other citizens served by Comox Fire Rescue can contact the Comox Fire station at 250-339-2432 or firehall@comox.ca to see if they too can get a free smoke/carbon monoxide alarm from the fire department.