Another public access AED: Coastal Transportation and Storage

Coastal Transportation and Storage (CTS) joins Comox’s AED program!

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Coastal Transportation and Storage has partnered with the Comox Firefighters Association to add yet another automatic external defibrillator (AED) in Comox. This will be located in their building located at 1734 Ryan Road East in Comox.

Chief Gord Schreiner states: “It is great to see organizations like this assisting us in our efforts to have AEDs available all over Comox. I am also very proud of our firefighters for their support of this important project. We have approximately 30 AEDs located in our area now.”

Comox firefighters are hoping to have more and more public access AEDs available. Their long term goal is to have an AED available in almost every business and public building in Comox. Public access AEDS are very simple to use, maintain and do save lives!

A public access AED costs approximately $1500.00. The Comox firefighters have been assisting some businesses and groups with AEDs by paying for half of the costs (approximately $750.00). Comox Fire Rescue will also provide both CPR and AED training to the businesses staff. 

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 also have one mounted in their fire station. 

Please contact Comox Fire Rescue at firehall@comox.ca if you have any questions.

Polar Bear Swim

The annual Goose Spit Polar Bear Swim is happening in one week! Come out on December 26th to brave the chilly waves. Last year we had around 130 people attend with visitors from Germany, Australia, and California. Participants ranged in age from four-year-old Elise Robertson, who was part of a family team, to 92-year-old James Rubletz, a Courtenay resident who has been taking part in the event for 30 years. 

Registration is at 11:30 and the swim is at noon. Bring your whole family for a fun event!

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Sending Thoughts and Prayers to Captain Stevens

Captain Rob Stevens of Comox Fire Rescue is recovering in St. Joseph's Hospital a cycling accident that occurred early in the morning on Tuesday, December 16th.

The accident occurred on the Memorial Parkway in Courtenay and our friends from Courtenay Fire attended along with BCAS.

CHEK News has been covering the story, and updates are being provided by Rob's wife, Laura. Our thoughts and prayers are with Rob and his family in hopes of a fast recovery.

http://www.cheknews.ca/comox-valley-cyclist-intensive-care-crash/

Flood Safety: Tips and Resources

With increased precipitation levels today, many communities are continuing to face flood impacts and while others are beginning to experience it.

Preparing for a potential flood, protecting yourself during a flood and getting your home in order after being impacted by a flood can seem overwhelming.

Flood water may contaminate drinking water supplies, introduce pollutants and debris into your home and lead to malfunction of sewage disposal systems. Protecting yourself and your family from illness is a critical part of getting your life back to normal. Following a substantial flood there may also be damage to roads and utilities in your community. Electricity may be shut off, telephone and internet may not work, and basic services like sewage and water may not be available for some time.

With planning and preparation, British Columbians can help to minimize the impact of any disaster. Here are some resources that can help them prepare:

How to prepare for a flood: 
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/emergency/pdf/preparing-for-a-flood.pdf

What to do during the flood:
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/emergency/pdf/what-to-do-during-a-flood.pdf

What to do after the flood:
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/emergency/pdf/what-to-do-after-the-flood.pdf

Sewage Systems and Flooding:
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/emergency/pdf/sewage_systems_and_flooding.pdf

Here are some additional tips and links on sandbagging, creating an emergency kit, alerting sources, and landscaping to manage water run-off: 
www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/campaigns/bc-flood-ready.html

Here are the Province’s top public safety messages for journalists reporting on high/fast running rivers that are increasing capacity with recent precipitation levels:

• Flood waters can be unpredictable and can have serious, life safety impacts. Keep children and pets away from waterways during times of increased water elevations and rapid flows.
• If you receive an evacuation order, leave the area immediately. Failing to leave when instructed can endanger both you and the lives of first-responders.
• If ordered to leave, take your emergency kit and lock the door. If there’s time, move essential items off the floor to an elevated location.
• If instructed, turn off utilities at main switches or valves. DO NOT touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
• Stay out of moving water and never walk through it. Even 15.25 centimetres (six inches) of moving water can make you fall and because of dangerous debris beneath the surface or strong currents, it can put you at risk of drowning.
• Do not drive into flooded areas or park along streams, rivers and creeks. Sixty centimetres (two feet) of water can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pickup trucks.
• Avoid river and stream banks. What looks like stable ground can be eroded beneath and give way without warning.

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Justice
Government Communications and Public
Engagement
250 213-3602

Article from BC Newsroom: http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2014/12/flood-tips-for-british-columbians-being-deluged-by-rainwater.html

Home Fire Safety Tip: Dryer Fires

Clothes dryers are among the most common type of equipment involved in home fires, ranking third behind stoves and heaters. Every year dryer fires cause considerable damages, injuries and deaths in North America.

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While lack of maintenance is the leading causes of dryer fires others are causes by faulty wiring, part failure or combustible stored to close to the dryer. To help avoid such fires the Comox Fire Department offers the following suggestions:

• Clean the lint filter after each use and wipe away any lint that may have accumulated around the drum.
• Do not run the dryer without a lint filter. This allows lint to accumulate around the drum and motor areas.
• Ensure that the dryer is plugged into a suitable electrical outlet.
• Do not leave your dryer running if you go out. It could malfunction and require your attention.
• Make sure that the air exhaust vent pipe is unobstructed and the outside flaps open. Clean the entire pipe regularly and do not block the flaps.
• Keep combustibles, such as boxes and other clothing well away.
• Gas fueled dryers should be inspected periodically by a professional to make sure the gas line and connections are intact and leak-free.
• Only use the dryer for its intended purpose and according to the manufacture instructions.
• Avoid continuous use of your dryer. Give it a rest period between loads.

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Comox Fire Chief Gord Schreiner says: “A dryer fire can really ruin your day so please take these steps to reduce the chance of your dryer causing a serious problem in your home”. For more information regarding dryer safety or any other fire safety issues please contact your local fire department.