Vanderhoof’s fire department is looking for more members to join their team.
The department operates with 1 full time Fire Chief and up to 35 active firefighters. Currently, the department is down to twenty-eight members. Fire Chief Ian Leslie said the department is seeking highly motivated, quality team members that are willing to commit to being active within the department.
Vanderhoof firefighters provide fire rescue services to 148 square kms radius around the district. In addition to that 32 kms north, 50 kms east and west, south the length of the Kluskus Forest Service Road, Leslie said.
The department provides fire services including fire suppression, road rescue services, fire inspections and fire prevention, education to the 4500 residents of Vanderhoof. Additionally, the fire department is covering a contract area with the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako for fire suppression. Road rescue services cover all of area F of the Regional District, Leslie added.
Meanwhile, this year the fire department has responded to 88 fire calls until Aug. 31, 2019, a lower number in comparison to last year, said the fire chief.
Other than that, the department has responded to 37 Motor-Vehicle Incidents.
Lastly, the fire chief said he wanted residents to be fire smart as the fire season has still not ended, in fact the fire danger level is high.
He said residents who use pellet stoves or wood stoves should have them cleaned and serviced regularly. “Do not leave them unattended,” Leslie said.
“People still need to be careful with backyard burning and burning permits are still mandatory across the district. Its interesting to note that years ago, we would have 18 minutes to respond to a fire before it engulfed the house. Now its down to three minutes. Its because of the materials used to build homes now such as plastic and polyester,” he added.
Aman Parhar
Editor, Vanderhoof Omineca Express
aman.parhar@ominecaexpress.com
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