New Truck Committee

Assistant Chief Barney has put up a posting for interested members to sign up for the new truck committee. This apparatus will replace the outgoing Engine 204 who has served us well for over 25 years now. Tentative replacement date is set for January 2012. Anyone interested should contact AC Barney or sign up on the board. This drawing is one of the ideas we have in mind for a replacement vehicle.

Year End Review

Well the end of 2010 is upon us and as I look back, it seems we accomplished many things this year. Some of them were even related to emergency services. Here is a brief overview of some of this years trials, tribulations and accomplishments:

1. One of the biggest news items for Sooke Fire Rescue this year was moving to seven day a week coverage by career staff. We now have (most days) a minimum of two career members on duty seven days a week from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. This is a huge increase over previous years on the old M-F 8:30 to 4:30 schedule. This was due mostly to the hiring of two additional firefighters(one a new position and the second to replace the vacant position that was put off for a year)
2. On an equally positive note, twenty new volunteers came on strength. This is the largest recruit class ever held in department history and puts us over the top on staffing. Lets hope these folks are with us for a while.
3. Rick Mcleod was promoted to Deputy Chief this year while Matt Barney became Assistant Chief. Ben Patterson and Chris McCrea were appointed as Lieutenants and Murray Lambert was promoted to Captain. (Congratulations again) It is these dedicated officers that help make this place work so efficiently
4. Several serious fires took place this year. Some of these were arson and had the potential for major disaster. All were handled very professionaly by responding crews without any serious injury. A great accomplishment.
5. A new command vehicle was purchased this year and a replacement for truck 209 was ordered and should be here in early 2011. The DOS also acquired two vehicles that are now equipped with snow removal equipment to facilitate the cleaning of the apron and parking areas of essential service facilities
6. The ESS program continues to build and improve. Municipal staff received basic training in EOC operations. This is a great benefit to the community in times of disaster. The amateur radio group received some new equipment and is also a vital part of our emergency services family
7. A dedicated group of volunteer firefighters spent a week serving at the Winter Olympics as a fire suppression time at one of the venues. A chance in a life time for those that participated. Speaking of the Olympics, fire department personnel were instrumental in designing, constructing, transporting and assembling the great Ozone Display that was set up on BC Streets in Richmond for the Olympics. Tens of thousands of people strolled down our recreation of the boardwalk. This display was also set up at the Vancouver Outdoor Adventure Show and the Sooke Rotary Auction.
8. In an effort to become more green, the fire department took on the challenge of lowering our carbon footprint. We just had the fire station and municipal hall switched from propane to natural gas, changed the fire trucks to bio diesel, bought a slightly used hybrid vehicle for a command vehicle and will soon have all the lighting changed to a more energy efficient system.
9. The public education members taught an impressive number of concerned citizens, many aspects of fire safety. From tours for preschoolers, to fire extinguisher training, to car seat installation, to safety in the workplace, to safety in the kitchen or for whatever their need may be, the volunteers that make up this group contributed many hours to make this community a safer place to be.
10. And our latest triumph. In combination with Otter Point, Shirley and East Sooke FD we raised more money and gathered more food for the food bank during our Christmas blitz than any other year. A superb effort by all.

And my final note here, even though I am sure there are many more items that could be discussed, I would like to thank each member of the department for their contributions this year. Without your participation, this emergency service would not exist. To all the Recruits, Firefighters, Officers, Pub Ed members, ESS and EOC Volunteers a great big thank you. Have a Happy New Year and may 2011 be a safe a prosperous year.

"Sparky" has left the building

("SPARKY" as Unit 210 when new)

After almost 20 years of faithful service, the old Chevy Suburban has been sold. This vehicle began its life with Sooke FD in 1993 as Unit 210 and was assigned to Fire Chief Ric Raynor. This was a big step up from the old S-10 pickup that was the previous Chiefs vehicle. This rig served us well as not only a command unit, but as a transport vehicle for training courses, manpower unit for calls and as a first responder car. Even the pub ed division got to use it for a while and it was adorned with Sparky Logos (hence its nickname "SPARKY") It later moved downstairs

and became the primary and only vehicle for the Engineering Division. Now with the purchase of two newer vehicles for Engineering, it was time to turn in the keys. With a trade in value of $2500.00 it was hard to say no. So for those old timers in the department that responded to many calls in this truck, it is time to say goodbye.

Haz Mat Call

Firefighters and DOS Engineering Staff responded to a reported fuel spill in the pond located in the Stone Ridge Subdivision. A large oily sheen was seen across much of the perimeter of the waterway. Upon closer inspection, the substance appeared to have a tar like consistancy. The haz mat trailer was brought to the scene and containment booms were placed at the intake and discharge ends of the stream. A large quantity of absorbent pads were placed around the edge of the pond while garden rakes and shovels were used to collect the tar and place into buckets for disposal. The spill was traced back to a construction site further up the hill where a 20 liter pail of foundation tar had spilled into the storm drain. This had worked its way into the creek and then into the pond. Fortunately it was only one small container and crews were able to stop the leak from spreading further downstream. Booms and pads were left overnight with some collected the next day. Two booms are still in place at each end to pick up any residual material that may be trapped in the piping system leading to the pond. These will be picked up next week.

Chimney Fire Season

Sooke Fire Rescue Service has experienced an increase in chimney fires these past couple of weeks. Four in the past week alone. One chimney suffered considerable damage and will likely need some major repairs. These others were quickly extinguished with no additional problems. So if you have a fireplace or woodstove in your home, perhaps it is time to get it checked out and cleaned if necessary. After all, you know there will be no teasing if a fire department member has to call its own fire department to respond.

Fast moving fire destroys mobile home

Sooke firefighters were called out for a structure fire at about 5:30 pm on Friday December 17 to a mobile home on McMillan Road. Located on Reserve# 2, crews arrived to find very heavy fire from the front and sides of the well involved home. First arriving Engine 1 established a water supply and then using a preconnect attempted to knock down the fire in the front of the trailer. Ladder 1 arrived immediately behind and set up the aerial for overhead lighting and assisted Engine 1 crew. Engine 2 arrived and brought a second line into the rear door to push the fire out the windows as well as searching for any possible victims. (It was later determined that the one of the occupants was in Alberta and the other was in Victoria Christmas shopping. The fire was knocked down quickly but the fire had taken its toll. Damage was extensive with the front half of the mobile completely burnt through including the floor. The rear section suffered extensive heat, smoke and water damage. The unit is not salvageable. The occupant returned later that night and is staying with relatives overnight. Invetigators will be returning to the scene in the morning to try to determine a cause. The occupants were not insured.

Tenants actions prevent major fire

What could have been a major fire incident was avoided when tenants awoke to the sound of a fire burning outside their home. A large pile of lumber and brush was burning around and under an old delivery van and only a few feet away from a very large wooden building. Quickly calling 911, the occupants used a garden hose to contain the fire. Firefighters arrived to find a sizeable brush fire (Yes you can get a brush fire at 4:30 in the morning in December when it is raining). Engine 1 was brought in and the fire was quickly controlled, however it took about 30 minutes of overhauling the area to ensure that all the hot spots were out. The cause of the fire appears to have been the use of cutting torch earlier that day that must have produced sparks that ignited some old wood and then smouldered for hours before breaking out. Just goes to show how careful one must be when doing this type of work.

Another alarm for the smell of smoke in a structure at a new home on Steeplechase brought a quick response from Sooke Firefighters. Nothing was found and the likely cause was an unused baseboard heater being turned on for the first time and the dust burning off.

News of the Week

A few things of interest to report. Item 1 - After the last snowfall and the lack of any real effort to keep the fire stations clear of snow a request was made to council to purchase a snow plow blade to attach to 208. This vehicle was originally purchased with a suspension to support this application but no blade ever made it through the budget process. With the prediction of a lot of snow to come this year, council approved the purchase. A new 8 foot blade as well as a salt spreader was ordered and should be here anytime. Once installed we will use it to keep municipal and emergency facilities clear of snow and if time permits, possibly the transit park and ride areas too. This should really help prevent many of the slips and falls we saw in the parking lot with the last snow fall. Speaking of 208, an estimate of $2600.00 was obtained to repair the hole in the side of the truck caused when it impacted a traffic cone during a response. Instead of the repair a used utility body was obtained for only $2000.00. We had already budgeted for a new one in 2011, so this used unit will save considerable money as well as negating the expense of the repairs. With a little work, this should look as good as new.

Truck 209 is nearing the end of its life as an emergency vehicle in Sooke. Our truck replacement policy currently states that utility vehicles will be replaced at ten years of age. As 209 is a 2001 model, it was to be disposed of and a new truck purchased in 2011. Coincidentaly, Shirley Fire Department was in the market for a used command vehicle as they have been told by their insurers that the Chief can no longer respond in his personnel vehicle as an emergency vehicle. A deal was struck and this truck will be in Shirley FDs hand any day now. (just waiting for the check to arrive) As such a new 2011 pickup has been ordered and will arrive in about 10 to 12 weeks. In the interim, the Sun River crew will not have a vehicle and will have to respond to Station 2 until the new truck is placed in service. With the much lower price of pick up trucks these days, this new vehicle came in considerably under budget.

Another planning meeting was held for the upcoming VIEP Conference to be held at the Prestige Hotel in April. This will be the first conference in the new facility. Deputy Mcleod has been spending time with the organizing committee as the local contact getting everything ready. The Vancouver Island Emergency Prepardness Conference will take place from Friday April 15 to Sunday April 17. An itenary will be posted. If anyone is interested in attending some or all of the event, please let us know. A sign up list will be posted soon. (May 2012 we will be hosting the Fire Prevention Officers of BC conference at the Prestige Hotel)

Saturday the recruit class will be doing their practical exam. If successful they will be receiving their pagers and keys. An exciting time for this large class of new firefighters. Lets give them a nice welcome and assist them on calls when they start responding this weekend.

Another Fire

November 28, Sooke Fire Rescue pagers were activated for a reported structure fire on Tominny Road. Eager volunteers jumped from their warm beds and raced to the scene at 1:24 am. The duplex was being evacuated on arrival. Engine 1 came straight in and was followed by Ladder 1. A 1 3/4 inch line was pulled and crews advanced to the second floor and the master bedroom where thick smoke made visibility almost impossible. A supply line was laid to the nearest hydrant but proved unneccessary as the attack team managed to extinguish the fire with very minimal water (an excellent job by the way) The fire was contained to the mattress with some small burning on the floor immediately adjacent. An unattended candle appears to be the cause as it looks like it tipped over and set the carpet and bed on fire. The parents of two small children were asleep in the bed. It seems that the six year old boy woke up to use the bathroom, saw the smoke and banged on the door to wake up his parents. The two children were quickly removed without injury. They were very fortunate to get out as there were no smoke alarms in the dwelling. If the little boy had not awoken, the out come may have been much more tragic. A great job to all the firefighters in attendance.

Poirier School damaged by flooding

Crews were called out at 9:00 pm on November 26 for alarm bells activated at Poirier School. On arrival, the fire alarm was sounding. Immediately noticed upon opening the door was a pool of water heading towards firefighters. Seeing no smoke or flames, it was quickly determined that a water pipe had burst. This turned out to be a sprinkler pipe in Room 1131. As the door was open, approximately 4 to 5 inches of water began rushing out the opening. The door was quickly closed. With the sprinkler system being shut off, crews went around to the outside door to the classroom and opened it up to let the water escape to the outside. All available members were then put to work to start removing water. Approximately 60% of the school had water on the floor. While investigating the break in the pipe, a large section of ceiling came down on top of Firefighter Stanley, injuring his back and shoulder. He was attended to by EHS personnel and was told to stop being such a baby. (sorry Neil) With water, water everywhere, additional personnel were needed and a call was made to the recruit class for more assistance. With their help along with school district personnel, the water was removed and crews cleared the scene just before Midnight. Cause was determined to be lack of draining a section of the dry sprinkler pipe when maintenance was done in the summer. The pipe froze (actually in two places) and broke.

Mutual Aid Fire in Shirley

Sooke and Otter Point Fire Departments were called out for a mutual aid fire in Shirley District on November 25 around the lunch hour. A fully involved workshop with a large propane tank exposure greeted firefighters on their arrival. Due to the lack of water pressure in the hydrant system, tankers were also used to suplement the water supply through a very long relay system. The 250lb tank was close enough to the fire that all of the valves and controls had melted resulting in the tank venting itself. Crews worked for several hours to gain control and extinguish the fire.