The Fraser Lake Fire Rescue Training Society receives $60,000 from Nadleh Whut’en First Nations for Live Fire Burn Building at the Regional Training Centre.
A press release received Feb. 11 stated, ” The Fraser Like Fire Rescue Training Society began the planning stages of a regional training centre in the summer of 2017. The purpose is to create a Regional Fire Rescue Training Facility which will provide a safe training environment and create realistic scenarios. The regional training centre will host fire rescue department, emergency service organizations and area industry first responders.”
Nadleh Whut’en Chief Larry Nooski said there needs to be a way to protect people and property from fire. “Being prepared by developing trained firefighting personnel will give our members and the people in the region peace of mind knowing we can stay in our respective community’s. “
“Nadleh Whut’en can ill afford to lose any housing or infrastructure. Nadleh Whut’en has firefighters and will now have access to local, realistic firefighting training which gives us the ability to protect our homes,” as stated in the release.
Dave Christie, president of the Fraser Lake Fire and Rescue Training Society said the idea and concept of the regional centre began in the summer of 2017 after Fort. St James closed their centre down.
“The Fort St. James centre was great. It had a live fire burn building and other props to train on. The proximity of the training site worked well. We were disappointed when this closed. Our members now must travel to 150 Mile House or further to gain access to the same training,” Christie said.
In terms of training, having access to working with live fire in a large building with real smoke and heat, gives the firefighters a realistic environment which Christie said, prepares them for the real event.
The partnership between the Nadleh Whut’en and the rescue society is a positive step forward, he said.
“Having our neighbouring First Nation Nadleh Whut’en partner with us on this project is another positive step forward. Our two departments have started training together. With a live fire building and realistic environments, our firefighters will get the best training available,” as stated in the release.
The total cost of the project is $1,20,000 and Christie said that they are anticipating that the remaining funding will be secured shortly. That would allow for the project to move forward and be in place for 2019, the release stated.
Meanwhile, as per the release - over the past year Nadleh Whut’en has partnered with the fire and rescue training society on a ‘wildfire sprinkler protection unit’ and contributed $41,488 towards the purchase of a unit which was worth $188,000. This unit was delivered to Fraser Lake in July last year.
“Training with personal from Nadleh, Stellaquo, and Fraser Lake began immediately. When the Shovel Lake and Island Lake wildfires threatened our communities, we were prepared to assist BC Wildfire and protect area structures.” Christie said.
The burn building and the Regional Training Centre are the product of three communities working together - Nadleh, Stellaquo and Fraser Lake, said Joe Pacheco, Fraser Lake Fire Chief and director of the Fraser Lake Fire Rescue Training Society.
“Working with and including our neighbouring First Nations partners on this and other projects is an asset for the entire area. Building respectful relationships with our neighbors has been the key to our successes,” Pacheco said.
