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.
Comox Fire Rescue is welcoming on 9 new members to our team! The new group came out last Sunday to run through our entrance physical and skills exam consisting of the Code-3 Grind, 65' ladder climb, blackout mask challenge, and more. Our future looks bright as we add this great new team to our department! A big thank you to all our members who helped out last Sunday.
Comox Fire Training Centre recently hosted two, one-day structure protection training sessions sponsored by the Office of the Fire Commissioner. The sessions demonstrate to the students non-traditionally techniques used in interface fires to protect structures using small pumps and sprinklers. The idea is to wet down the structures and surrounding areas greatly decreasing the chance of a hot ember igniting them.
The sessions were delivered by Stan Harvey and Gord Schreiner; two of three persons authorized in the province to deliver this training. Over fifty firefighters from sixteen island departments attended these sessions. Equipment used for this tactic is typically carried in a trailer. The province provides a standardized list inventory carried in these trailers. Comox Fire Rescue has had a Structure Protection trailer for about ten years now. Their trailer and team were recently requested by the Office of the Fire Commissioner to assist with structure protection at the Sproat Lake fire.
Comox has trained about 35 of their 50 members in the training required to be deployed by the province with a structure protection trailer. Oyster River has also deployed a Structure Protection trailer and trained many of their members.
Chief Schreiner states: “It is great to see this type of equipment and skills here in the Comox Valley. I hope we never need it but know that if we do it is ready to go. We are also pleased to share this equipment and our skills with our neighbouring departments and we know that they will do the same”
September's meeting night was bittersweet. We presented five rookies with their black helmets; they have been training with us for the last two years and have officially graduated the rigorous Comox Fire training program and are now certified firefighters to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard 1001 level II.
However, we also had to say goodbye to three loyal and very valuable members of our organization. Lorne Hicks, Christiaan Horsfall, and Craig Skene have left our department for other life pursuits. They were great contributors to Comox Fire, experienced firefighters, and most importantly, good people. They will very much be missed and we wish them the best in all of their future endeavors!
Chief Schreiner states: "These three retiring members leave big shoes to fill and were wonderful examples to our newer members. Not only were they good firefighters but they are all very nice people who really care about their community."
The dinner meeting was a great occasion and family members of our firefighters were invited. As we all know, none of us would be able to commit to this organization if it wasn't for the support and understanding of our spouses/partners/parents/children.
Congratulations to the newly certified firefighters, and best of luck to those moving on to new adventures!
Last Tuesday's practice was a unique opportunity for both Comox and Cumberland firefighters: A truck from each department was sent with a crew to visit the other department for a night of training outside of their usual comfort zone. Comox firefighters visited Cumberland to brush up on their auto extrication skills while a Cumberland crew came to Comox for START (Survival Training and Rescue Techniques) training. It was a great experience for everyone involved!
This week on Meet our Members, we interview Pascal Lafreniere!
Pascal Lafreniere receiving his Lieutenant shoulder flashes.
CFR: Could you provide a brief background of your fire service career?
I've been with Comox Fire Rescue for 7 years now. Previous to that I had no fire service experience. I was promoted to Lieutenant in 2014 and am currently finishing up my Fire Officer lv. 1 course.
CFR: Was there any specific event that first interested you in becoming a fire fighter?
Nothing in particular, but firefighting checked all the boxes of my ideal career!
CFR: What is your favourite part of volunteering for Comox Fire Rescue (or working in the valley in general)?
My favourite part of volunteering at CFR is the amount of opportunites given to us to grow and learn as firefighters and the opportunity to share knowledge and experience with other firefighters.
CFR: Outside of the fire department, what are your interests/hobbies?
I enjoy spending time outdoors, usually doing activites such as mountain biking, snowboarding (when there's actually snow on Mt. Washington), quadding in the back-country, and generally exploring Vancouver Island.
CFR: What are some major changes you have seen in the fire service industry during your career?
The amount of options for aquiring training. You can get textbooks, ebooks, online training... The amount of ways to get training has significantly increased since I started.
Thank you, Pascal, for your years of dedication and leadership especially in your new role training recruits!
An inside joke.
