firefighters

The Salmon Arm Fire Department’s new Tower 3 fire truck with its 104-foot ladder could be seen outside Hall 3 in downtown Salmon Arm Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 20, lights flashing, with the ladder moving up and down repeatedly. Fire Chief Brad Shirley assures it was just undergoing maintenance from the factory that built it. It’s in good shape, nothing alarming, no fire at Hall 3, he smiled. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)

‘Nothing alarming:’ Ladder on Salmon Arm’s new fire truck in good shape

Fire Chief Brad Shirley assures Tower 3 ladder’s repeated extensions were factory maintenance

 

A Penticton firefighter demonstrates what not to do at their charity dodgeball tournament on Sept. 17. (PFD - Instagram)

Get ready to dodge some balls with Penticton Fire Department’s charity tournament

The dodgeball games will be held at Gyro Park all day Sept. 17

 

The historic Warren House on Lakeshore Drive became engulfed in flames and quickly was destroyed by fire on March 7. The Penticton Fire Department has to respond quickly to fires like this one, as well as medical calls, motor vehicle incidents and a range of other emergencies that wear on the firefighters. (Monique Tamminga - Western News)

Penticton firefighters understaffed and facing burnout: Union

The department currently has 36 staff on the payroll, out of a minimum goal of 40

 

The last segment of the the Combined Timed Activity or CTA on Aug. 30 for the four fire halls which make up the Salmon Arm Fire Department included firing a hose in order to knock a cone off a bucket. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)

VIDEO: Salmon Arm firefighters hone skills, race other halls, do ‘incredible job’

Fire Chief Brad Shirley compliments everyone who took part in timed skills contest

The last segment of the the Combined Timed Activity or CTA on Aug. 30 for the four fire halls which make up the Salmon Arm Fire Department included firing a hose in order to knock a cone off a bucket. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)
Oliver Fire Department. (Submitted photo)

Do not take selfies at an active fire scene, urges Oliver Fire Department

Fire crews were slowed getting through traffic to put out an RV on fire

Oliver Fire Department. (Submitted photo)
A wildfire was sparked in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

BC Wildfire responds to blaze in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park

Planes circling as smoke in Cosens Bay area of Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park

A wildfire was sparked in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
At its Aug. 18 meeting, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District board suspended the regional district’s COVID-19 vaccine policy for CSRSD firefighters. (File photo)

Columbia Shuswap Regional District suspends COVID-19 vaccine policy for firefighters

Regional district lost 45 firefighters after policy went into effect

At its Aug. 18 meeting, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District board suspended the regional district’s COVID-19 vaccine policy for CSRSD firefighters. (File photo)
The East Meadows Plateau wildfire is about 20 kilometres from the City of Kamloops. (Photo/BCWS Twitter)

Wildfire sparks just north of Kamloops

The fire is highly visible to Kamloops and the surrounding area

The East Meadows Plateau wildfire is about 20 kilometres from the City of Kamloops. (Photo/BCWS Twitter)
In November 2021 the Columbia Shuswap Regional District board approved a COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination Policy requiring staff, contractors, paid on-call firefighters and emergency management volunteers to be vaccinated. (CSRD photo)

Columbia Shuswap Regional District to discuss suspending vaccine policy for firefighters

Staff proposing removal of vaccine requirement for contractors, elected officials

In November 2021 the Columbia Shuswap Regional District board approved a COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination Policy requiring staff, contractors, paid on-call firefighters and emergency management volunteers to be vaccinated. (CSRD photo)
Kelowna Fire Department Chief Travis Whiting. (File photo)

Still a ladder to climb on Kelowna fire staffing: Chief

‘We will continue to work on resourcing, training, and equipping our front-line responders’

Kelowna Fire Department Chief Travis Whiting. (File photo)
Keremeos Creek fire was estimated at 437 hectares as of Sunday (July 31) morning (Photo courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)

Minimal overnight growth at Keremeos Creek fire

Saturday’s evacuation and air quality alerts remain in effect

  • Jul 31, 2022
Keremeos Creek fire was estimated at 437 hectares as of Sunday (July 31) morning (Photo courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)
Highway 1 was closed in both directions following a multiple-vehicle collision on the Bruhn Bridge at Sicamous on Thursday evening, July 28, 2022. (Contributed)

Eight people sent to hospital after multiple-vehicle crash on Highway 1 bridge near Sicamous

Speed limit reduced to 30 km/h until further notice

Highway 1 was closed in both directions following a multiple-vehicle collision on the Bruhn Bridge at Sicamous on Thursday evening, July 28, 2022. (Contributed)
Fire truck. (Morning Star file photo)

Heat has Vernon firefighters on wildfire alert

Fire Rescue Services preparing for increased risk of wildfire conditions

Fire truck. (Morning Star file photo)
A fire at a 20th Street townhouse late Monday, July 18. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

UPDATE: Arson arrest made in suspicious explosive Vernon fire

Glass and debris strewn across road, no one was home in any of the three units

A fire at a 20th Street townhouse late Monday, July 18. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Kayla and son Jaxon Butts have their photo taken with local Rapattack members who provided them with a short ride in a fire services helicopter. (Contributed)

Salmon Arm firefighters help fill adventure wishlist of child in palliative care

Ride in Rapattack helicopter arranged for 4-year-old Jaxon Butts

  • Jul 5, 2022
Kayla and son Jaxon Butts have their photo taken with local Rapattack members who provided them with a short ride in a fire services helicopter. (Contributed)
Nanaimo Fire Rescue crews were able to rescue a beagle from a drain pipe Friday, July 1. (Photos courtesy Nanaimo Fire Rescue)

B.C. firefighters rescue dog trapped in drain pipe after ‘yelp for help’

Firefighters fasten blanket to fire hose to create ‘Q-tip’ to pull out panicked pooch

Nanaimo Fire Rescue crews were able to rescue a beagle from a drain pipe Friday, July 1. (Photos courtesy Nanaimo Fire Rescue)
Columbia Shuswap Regional District firefighters work on their ability to extinguish fires. (Photo contributed)

Pay increase coming for paid-on-call Shuswap firefighters

Columbia Shuswap Regional District agrees to the pay raise

  • Jun 20, 2022
Columbia Shuswap Regional District firefighters work on their ability to extinguish fires. (Photo contributed)
Firefighter Bo Kutsiuruba, 6th from left, with volunteers with Firefighter Aid Ukraine. (Submitted)

Kelowna fire department donates to Ukrainian war effort

Ukrainian-born fireman delivers trailer full of equipment

Firefighter Bo Kutsiuruba, 6th from left, with volunteers with Firefighter Aid Ukraine. (Submitted)
Kelowna fire truck. (File photo)

Kelowna high-rise fire accidental

No injuries were reported

  • May 29, 2022
Kelowna fire truck. (File photo)
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

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