This week on Meet our Members, we chat with Firefighter Andrew Caldwell, who joined Comox Fire Rescue in October 2021
Was there a specific event or reason for you to be interested in becoming a firefighter?
The idea of being a firefighter was suggested to me by a family friend in 1999, and a light went off for me. I knew in that moment that all my work experience up to that point had lead me right to the fire department.
Tell us a bit about your family.
I’m married to my beautiful wife Megan and have two boys, 7 and 16. We moved to Comox from Surrey in August of this year.
What is your regular “Day Job”
On my regular days for work, I’m a firefighter for the Vancouver International Airport. I have been a firefighter at YVR since 2003.
Tell us about your passion in life.
My passion is my family, everything is for them. I do enjoy fishing, hunting, hiking and riding bikes with the family. Maybe this will be the year we get back into skiing.
Tell us about the most amazing thing you have experienced so far in life.
Getting to travel through Northern Italy for a few weeks with my wife was pretty spectacular. However, the birth of my son and building a beautiful family with my wife is the most amazing thing I have experienced in life so far.
Do you have any fire service goals?
The opportunity to serving in such a wonderful community like Comox is a success. I hope to continue learning and developing my skills in order to provide the best care possible to those in need. I don’t know what the future will hold but I’m excited for whatever comes next. Thank you for having me Comox Fire Rescue.
Andrew brings many years of service and training to our Department.” says Comox Fire Rescue Chief Gord Schreiner. “Thank you for joining our team Andrew. We look forward to training and working with you.”
This week on Meet our Members, we chat with Recruit Mike Brown, who joined Comox Fire Rescue in October 2021
Was there a specific event or reason for you to be interested in becoming a firefighter?
I love this town and I see Comox Fire Rescue as a great way to give back to the community. I want to help people, and I enjoy challenging myself physically and mentally. I have seen the crew here in action and I feel lucky to be welcomed into such a solid organization.
Tell us a bit about your family.
I am blessed with a wonderful wife (Michelle) and two children. Our daughter (Audrey) is 9 and son (Casey) is 6. I have two older brothers and my parents live here in the Comox Valley. Oh and I can't forget my 4-legged buddy, Ky.
What is your regular “Day Job”
I work for the Town of Comox in the Public Works Department. I am part of a crew that looks after the town infrastructure (water, sewer, roads).
Tell us about your passion in life.
My passion in life is life itself. Every day is a gift. I have a thirst for knowledge and learning new things, ranging from history to technical skills.
Tell us about the most amazing thing you have experienced so far in life.
I was fortunate to work in the outdoor recreation industry for a number of years, leading high school groups on wilderness trips as well as working for sea kayak touring companies. These experiences took me to some spectacular parts of the BC coast and mountains. I rounded these years off by riding my bike from Qualicum Beach to Mexico. Then it was time for the most amazing experience of all... having kids! Never a dull moment...!
Do you have any fire service goals? - if so what?
I am focussed on successfully completing the first responder training with my teammates, then the NFPA 1001/2 certification. Looking forward to being able to contribute.
Thank you for joining our Team Mike.” says Comox Fire Rescue Chief Gord Schreiner. “We look forward to training and working more with you.”
Firefighter Katie Braaten had her final practice with Comox Fire Rescue this past Tuesday. Braaten joined Comox Fire Rescue in 2019 and completed her NFPA 1001/2 with the department.
In addition to regular firefighting with Comox, Braaten was also a member of the SPU (Structural Protection Unit) that deployed to the July Mountain Fire this past summer near Merritt. The team she worked with for 10 days helped protect many structural targets, and was a big part of the team.
“It takes a great deal of practice and training, as well as studying to become a firefighter. We thank Katie very much for being a part of our team, and wish her success in her future.” says Fire Chief Gord Schreiner.
Good luck Katie!
This week on Meet our Members, we chat with Recruit Leif Lefevre, who joined Comox Fire Rescue in October 2021
Was there a specific event or reason for you to be interested in becoming a firefighter?
One night after work I heard a frantic knock on my door. It was my neighbour. Her husband was in cardiac arrest. I began CPR and waited for the first responders to arrive. In next to no time, Comox Fire Rescue arrived. It was clear to me that these members are heros. The next day I filled up my application and sent it in.
What is your regular “Day Job”
For my day job I work as an Apprentice Electrician with DenMar Electric, doing mostly service and large scale projects. Soon I'll be finished my training and I can start my career as a Journeyman.
Tell us a bit about your family.
I was born and raised in Powell River. My mother is a massage therapist and my father was a lighting technician at the Evergreen Theatre. My father passed away when I was very young and my amazing mother had to step up and raise two young boys on her own. I also have an awesome uncle, brother, and grandma that I owe everything too. Last but not least, I have my partner Bria. An amazing women who moved across the world from the Philippines all the way to Canada. She's truly a blessing.
Tell us about your passion in life.
I want to make a difference. When I'm on my death bed looking back I want to feel good about how I affected the world and the people around me. I also love exploring and going off the beaten path. Adventuring in my happy place.
Tell us about the most amazing thing you have experienced so far in life.
One of the most amazing things I've experienced so far was the trip my brother and I took in Mexico. We back packed from the East coast across the country to the California Baja. The people we met and the things we saw will always be some of my most cherished memories.
Do you have any fire service goals? - if so what?
I'm here to build new skills and meet like minded people. On the other hand I have the utmost respect for Comox Fire Rescue and would jump at the opportunity to become a full time Fire Fighter. For now I just want to get out into the community and help in anyway I can.
“Welcome to the team Leif.” says Comox Fire Rescue Chief Gord Schreiner. “We look forward to training and working with you. Stay safe.”
Mike Brown, Leif Lefevre, Katya Luczanko, Matt O’Meara, Orod Farfod, Carson Reddin and Brynn Vandervaate have begun their training for NFPA 1001/2 certification. The training process will include FR3 Medical Responder, Hazmat Operations, Exterior and Interior Firefighting, and much more.
“It takes a great deal of dedication and commitment to become a firefighter, and we thank all our members very much for joining.” states Comox Fire Chief Gord Schreiner.
The recruits have successfully completed their physical testing recently of the “Code 3 Challenge” which includes forcible entry skills, climbing 5 flights of stairs while carrying up a 40 lbs hose bundle, dragging a 165 lbs rescue dummy 100 feet, then deploying a 100 length of hose. All while wearing full turnout gear, in under 5 mins.
Comox Fire Rescue currently has over 48 NFPA 1001/2 trained firefighters and 11 more working towards certification.
“We are very fortunate to be able to provide the certification at Comox Fire Rescue 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 joining Comox Fire Rescue, visit the link below:
http://www.comoxfirerescue.org/recruiting
