firefighters

Jason Blackwell, Gerry Thiessen, Jerry Petersen and Nicholas Straughan at the Cluculz Lake Fire Hall grand opening. (Photo by Michael Bramadat-Willcock)

‘Upward and onward from here’: New Fire Hall at Cluculz Lake holds grand opening

The new building comes with a training area and better capacity for equipment storage

 

Firefighters-Cancer 20220505 Vancouver firefighter Jenn Dawkins, shown in a handout photo, lobbied for breast cancer to be included in British Columbia’s legislation as a presumed occupational illness covered by the province’s health and safety agency for workers. Three years later, she would be diagnosed with the disease that is a top killer of firefighters. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-David Harcus

Firefighters say recognition of their cancer risk is tough battle across Canada

British Columbia recently amended the Workers Compensation Act to include three more cancers

 

Wildland firefighter Ty Feldinger works on steep terrain to put out hot spots remaining from a controlled burn the B.C. Wildfire Service conducted to help contain the White Rock Lake wildfire on Okanagan Indian Band land, northwest of Vernon on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Vaccine policy to remain in place for B.C. Wildfire Service

All B.C. government employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19

  • Apr 28, 2022

 

The under-construction Water’s Edge building on Truswell Road in Kelowna engulfed in flames moments before it collapsed on July 8, 2017. (File)

‘Brutally understaffed’ to combat high-rise blazes: Retired Kelowna firefighter

‘We have 120 firefighters on staff, but a minimum of 23 on shift,’ said Kelowna Fire Chief Travis Whiting

The under-construction Water’s Edge building on Truswell Road in Kelowna engulfed in flames moments before it collapsed on July 8, 2017. (File)
Martyka Sutor, her partner Steven, son Arlo and newborn daughter Maia pose for a photo with firefighters from Surrey’s Hall 17. (Contributed photo)

‘There was no stopping her’: Firefighters deliver baby in B.C. couple’s home

‘It was a day we will never forget’ says South Surrey mother

Martyka Sutor, her partner Steven, son Arlo and newborn daughter Maia pose for a photo with firefighters from Surrey’s Hall 17. (Contributed photo)
Fire Chief Ian Leslie. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock photo)

‘A stable community’: Family means everything for Vanderhoof Fire Chief Ian Leslie

Ian Leslie is our community builder of the month

Fire Chief Ian Leslie. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock photo)
Courtesy photo

‘Should be an alarm bell’: Calls for action after fatal fires on First Nations

Study found First Nations people living on reserves were 10 times more likely to die in a fire

Courtesy photo
Benny Hanson, who turned 90 on Feb. 1, 2022, is a pump operator with the Celista Fire Department. (Celista Fire Department image)

90-year-old B.C. firefighter has always been one to keep busy

Benny Hanson said his philosophy was ‘change jobs every four years’

Benny Hanson, who turned 90 on Feb. 1, 2022, is a pump operator with the Celista Fire Department. (Celista Fire Department image)
First Nations’ Emergency Services Society members Dean Colthorp, left, and Reo Jerome pose beside the truck donated to the society Feb. 1 by Esquimalt Fire Rescue. Fire Chief Steve Serbic stands on the engine. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Donated fire truck will help train remote First Nations departments across B.C.

Former Esquimalt truck to be used to build skills, enable better community protection

First Nations’ Emergency Services Society members Dean Colthorp, left, and Reo Jerome pose beside the truck donated to the society Feb. 1 by Esquimalt Fire Rescue. Fire Chief Steve Serbic stands on the engine. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
A deer that fell through ice in Westwood Lake got a ride to safety aboard Nanaimo Fire Rescue’s rescue boat on Tuesday, Jan. 25. (Photo courtesy Nanaimo Fire Rescue)

Deer rescued after falling through ice on Vancouver Island lake

Nanaimo Fire Rescue and B.C. Conservation Officer Service respond to incident Tuesday, Jan. 25

A deer that fell through ice in Westwood Lake got a ride to safety aboard Nanaimo Fire Rescue’s rescue boat on Tuesday, Jan. 25. (Photo courtesy Nanaimo Fire Rescue)
White Rock firefighters (left to right) Scott Pearson, Capt. Cordell Fulton, Cory McKinnon and Bira Bindra say they were happy to be there to assist in delivering a premature baby girl in a Columbia Avenue residence on Jan. 11. Alex Browne photo

B.C. fire crew helps mom deliver baby at home on the floor

Emergency call for early birth welcomes city of White Rock’s newest resident

White Rock firefighters (left to right) Scott Pearson, Capt. Cordell Fulton, Cory McKinnon and Bira Bindra say they were happy to be there to assist in delivering a premature baby girl in a Columbia Avenue residence on Jan. 11. Alex Browne photo
Volunteer firefighters with North Cedar Volunteer Fire Department braved near-freezing waters to save a dog that was seen struggling for its life after falling through ice on Holden Lake in Hemer Park south of Nanaimo. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Dog rescued after falling through ice on lake near Nanaimo

Volunteer firefighters mount water rescue after dog seen struggling for its life in Hemer Park

Volunteer firefighters with North Cedar Volunteer Fire Department braved near-freezing waters to save a dog that was seen struggling for its life after falling through ice on Holden Lake in Hemer Park south of Nanaimo. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Midway Fire and Rescue volunteers held the diesel spill before the fuel could enter a nearby culvert, according to Chief Mike Daloise. Photo: Submitted

Semi crashes on ‘sharp, hairpin turn’ on Hwy 3, officials respond to diesel spill

Nearby section of Kettle River unaffected, says Ministry of Environment

Midway Fire and Rescue volunteers held the diesel spill before the fuel could enter a nearby culvert, according to Chief Mike Daloise. Photo: Submitted
A firefighter stands on the shoreline of the St.Lawrence River Monday, October 18, 2021, where a firefighter drowned during a rescue operation in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Montreal firefighter dead after falling into St. Lawrence River during rescue mission

Boaters in distress saved, but for an unknown reason fire department rescue boat then capsized

A firefighter stands on the shoreline of the St.Lawrence River Monday, October 18, 2021, where a firefighter drowned during a rescue operation in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Premier John Horgan tours the BC Wildfire Service camp set up in Vernon Thursday, Aug. 26, where firefighters from all over are stationed while battling the White Rock Lake blaze. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

B.C. premier, forests minister, tour White Rock Lake fire near Vernon

John Horgan joins Minister of Forests at firefighters’ camp

Premier John Horgan tours the BC Wildfire Service camp set up in Vernon Thursday, Aug. 26, where firefighters from all over are stationed while battling the White Rock Lake blaze. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Saanich Fire Department worked hard to pull a horse from drowning in a mud bog on July 31 in Saanich. (Photo and video courtesy of Saanich Fire Department)

VIDEO: Firefighters rescue frightened horse stuck nose-deep in Vancouver Island mud bog

At the scene were a whole team of firefighters who put their heads together to rescue the filly

Saanich Fire Department worked hard to pull a horse from drowning in a mud bog on July 31 in Saanich. (Photo and video courtesy of Saanich Fire Department)
Firefighter Sue Idle (right) with Pass Creek Fire Department chief Aaron Bebelman. Photo: Submitted

‘It is hard. It is fun’: 55-year-old Castlegar woman becomes firefighter

Sue Idle is one of the newest members of the Pass Creek Fire Department

Firefighter Sue Idle (right) with Pass Creek Fire Department chief Aaron Bebelman. Photo: Submitted

Vanderhoof Fire Department looking for firefighters

Fire Chief provides update to municipal council

Campers learn auto extrication at past year’s Camp Ignite. Photo supplied by Camp Ignite

‘Camp Ignite’ helps young B.C. women pursue firefighting careers

This year’s camp will be on Aug. 14 and Aug. 15 in Vancouver

Campers learn auto extrication at past year’s Camp Ignite. Photo supplied by Camp Ignite
A vehicle that was driven through the wall of a parkade at Uptown Shopping Centre and into the nearby Walmart on April 9 was removed through another hole in the wall later that night. (Photo via Saanich Police Department and Ayush Kakkar)

Vehicle launched into B.C. Walmart removed following rescue of trapped workers

Crews cut new hole in parkade wall to remove vehicle safely

A vehicle that was driven through the wall of a parkade at Uptown Shopping Centre and into the nearby Walmart on April 9 was removed through another hole in the wall later that night. (Photo via Saanich Police Department and Ayush Kakkar)