Despite the hot dry weather, September has proven to be a quiet month for fire calls. Perhaps the burning ban on campfires has helped as we certainly had a number of incidents before the ban was in place. With the weather turning now, it is likely the ban will be lifted soon however if the fire calls increase the ban may be re-instated.
New uniforms have arrived for anyone that didn't already have one. As such, the requirement to wear your uniform at FD functions will now be enforced. This means Thursday training sessions, (or other training times) public education events or basically anything at which you are representing the fire department.
Some basic planning has begun in prepartation for the 100th anniversary celebration of the Sooke Fire Rescue Service (2013). We are looking for ideas from the membership on what events they would like to see as part of this historical milestone in our history.
The interviews and agility testing for the new recruit class have been completed. Many thanks to those that came out to help, especially the members that assisted the Deputy Chief with the interview process. It looks like a very good group this year. Training will begin next month and will take place on alternate weekends instead of Wednesday nights this year. This is a pilot program so time will tell if this works out or not. We are hoping for input from the class at the end of the program on how well it worked. Any firefighter wanting to assist with instructing at one or more of the sessions is certainly encouraged to do so. A schedule will be posted by the training officer.
It appears that this years Annual Western Communites Fire and Life Safety Expo for the Grade 4 students will be postponed to spring due to the possibilty of job action by the teachers. Stay tuned for new dates of this very popular event. (Between 800 and 1000 students participate each year). The Great Shakeout Earthquake Drill will still proceed on October 20th. A variety of public education events are starting to show up. We hope to have a few activities during Fire Prevention Week that members will participate in.
Emergency Operations Centre training is now a scheduled event for all municipal staff. This will take place on the fourth Thursday of each month from 11:00 am until 12:00 and then repeated at 1:00 to 2:00 pm to allow staff to rotate shifts and still cover customer needs in the municipal offices. Any firefighter or ESS member is welcome to attend and participate at these sessions.
There are lots of new courses and training opportunities coming available. Check the listings in this blog and the sign up lists in the training room. We are also hoping to host a Pumps and Pumping course in late fall. Assistant Chief Barney finally has a date that he can get the First Responder instructor bridging course completed. When completed in mid October, look for First Responder courses to start appearting for members needing new licenses or renewals for existing ones. Sooke and Otter Point FDs have offered to jointly hosting an exciting officer training program entitled "Beyond Helmets and Hoses" This is an accredited program through the Canadian Fire Chiefs Association and will cover a variety of subjects on how to move into officer positions from firefighter. This weekend course will be offered late this year or early next year depending on availability of the instructors.
And finally it is nice to see our injured firefighters on the mend. Looks like we will be able to see them and offer our sympathies (or whatever) at the upcoming banquet on October 1st. (yes it is almost that time)
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