Motor Vehicle Incidents

Seems that motor vehicle incidents are the common call right now. Friday had a two car, head on crash located in the 5500 block of Sooke Road that brought traffic to a stand still for over an hour. A total of 6 patients were transported to hospital. Luckily none of the injuries were life threatening. This was followed by another head on crash in the 2100 block of Otter Point Road when a vehicle travelling to fast in the 30 km zone, crossed the line and collided with an oncoming car. This time, there were no injuries thanks to air bags, but both vehicles sustained major front end damage. While directing traffic, another vehicle thought it could make a u-turn. Unfortunately, this vehicle ended up in the ditch when the driver didn't quite make the turn. (Oops) Let's hope that these incidents are not the sign of something to expect over the winter months.

On a more positive note, we have acquired a new (used) service body for Batallion 1 to replace the damaged pickup box. While the body requires some work and a paint job, it is significantly cheaper than a new body. It will take a little while to get the unit operational, however it should prove to be a much better use of the truck when completed.

Squad 1 (unit 209) was due for replacement in 2011 as it will be ten years old. The Shirley FD has made an offer on the truck that was accepted and this unit will be sold to them before the end of the year. We will be purchasing a replacement vehicle in early 2011, however there is some debate as to what is the best vehicle to replace this with. Should it be another pick up truck, 2 door or 4 door or an SUV. There are good reasons for each so this needs some careful thought as whatever is purchased will have to serve the department for the next 10 years. Also soon to disposed of is old 210 (Sparky). The old command vehicle was turned over to Engineering a few years ago and will soon be disposed of. Anyone in need of a Suburban? I am sure we can get you a great deal.

Pierce Tour

It was a long but exciting trip as Chris, Benny and I visited the Pierce Fire Truck factory in Appleton, Wisconsin this past week. We toured three different plants where various components and complete fire trucks are built. Things were a little slow at the plant these days, as there were only 400 custom fire trucks going through the assembly line. (the commercial chassis trucks are built at another plant in Florida) The tour started at the main plant where the fire trucks are assembled. Cabs are mated to chassis, pump bodies are installed, the cabinets and water tanks put in place as well as all other components that make up a complete fire truck. At the second factory, the cabs, pump housings and bodies are constructed. This plant also had several large rescue trucks under construction. Here the ladders and towers are also installed on the chassis. Airport crash trucks are also built here including 37 units for Pakistan. The third plant on the tour was located about 60 miles away. Here the ladders are assembled and painted (approximately 1 complete ladder assembly per day) This plant also builds equipment for Caterpillar, military vehicles, snow blowers for airports and marine hoists used to transport and move boats of all sizes. A lot of diversity in these places. The Pierce Company and WFR (the local distributor) where awesome hosts. All of our travel, meals and accomodation were all taken care of. In Wisconsin, they like their deep fried food. Even tried a deep fried fillet steak.
As for Pierce Trucks, these are quite impressive units. Air bags are located in the cabs as well as roll over protection and advanced suspension systems to provide additional vehicle stability. Many new and interesting ideas where gathered that we can certainly incorporate into future apparatus when the time comes to order new equipment. Note the Canadian Flag on two of the fire trucks pictured. One is going to New Westminster and the other to Saskatoon.

USE OF GYM

Several people have responded to the poll over use of the gym. The consensus of most respondants so far is to have individuals pay by user. While we may also consider a family rate, it appears that this is the way we will go (unless I hear from a lot of you to go a different route). If this is in fact, the way we go, anyone using the gym will be required to pay an annual fee. The lock will be changed to accomodate only users that have paid. This money will be used to cover the cost of cleaning the gym, servicing the equipment and hopefully put a little something away to cover the cost of new or replacement equipment. This will all take place on January 1 provided I have no other overwhelming response.

Major Fire Lights up the NIght Sky

At 9:28 pm, on October 26, Sooke pagers were activated for a reported structure fire. First on scene, I observed a large, two storey barn at the Cherry Lane Equine Centre heavily involved in fire. Several people were on site, quickly moving horses away from the rapidly burning structure. Also seen were 3 or 4 people existing the top floor carrying objects in their hands. Later it was determined these young people had seen the fire while passing by, new of the barn and had rushed in to rescue a family of cats. (Note the stairs in the photo. This is where minutes earlier several people were seen existing with armloads of cats)

With the fire rapidly spreading and an all clear for anyone or animals in the building, I made the quick determination that this would be a defensive fire. Having been told there were upwards of 2000 bales of hay inside, it would not be possible to send firefighters inside. First arriving was Engine 2 with 3 firefighters. This team grabbed the hydrant at Sooke and Ludlow and laid in approximately 700 feet of 4 inch hose to reach the fire. Using a 2 1/2 inch hand line, the crew in the photo worked the B side of the structure. With assistance from Squad 2, the deck gun was also put into operation. Next arriving Engine 1 and Ladder 1 moved in. Ladder 1 set up for aerial master stream operations directly behind Engine 2. Engine 1 laid in an additional 2 1/2 line from the hydrant to supply additional water. Two more handlines were deployed, one to the A side and one on the D side. With all of the lines flowing and more water required, another water source was required. The decision to shut down Sooke Road was made and Engine 1 laid in another 4 inch supply line from the hydrant at the Shell station. Now flowing approximately 2000 gallons a minute, the water proved to be no match for the fire and the building was rapidly consumed despite the best efforts of all firefighters. An excavator was brought in to bring the remains of the building down and to access the hundreds of burning hay bales. Crews finally cleared the scene at 02:30 hours and left the station just after 3:00 am. The following morning, crews returned to the scene to extinguish the many hot spots still burning within the hay. A total of 24 firefighters manning 3 master streams, 1 - 2 1/2" and 2 - 1 3/4" lines proved no match for this massive fire. Crews were successful in keeping the fire from spreading and protecting exposures. Insurance investigators were on scene that afternoon. Suspected causes include the possibility of spontaneous combustion in a damp bale of hay or an electrical problem, however due to the extent of damage, the actual cause may prove difficult to determine.

For additional photos, check out Derek Lewers website at www.datastorms.com/barnfire1

Incident Response Poll

I thought I would provide some more clarity regarding the incident response poll I sent out by email yesterday. First off, we are not trying to stop the volunteer firefighters from attending, rather we are trying to eliminate the more mundane types of calls from your rather busy lives. If this goes ahead it would mean that the less serious medical calls, simple clean ups and burning complaints would not be paged out during regular work hours as the day staff would be able to handle these on their own. Not to say if a volunteer were in the station, they couldn't go - in fact I would encourage them to attend if they so choose. For any serious type call including MVIs, alarm bells, structure fires, brush fires, cardiac arrest etc an all call page will go out at ALL TIMES. If we are short on day staff due to a training course, holidays or sick days, an ALL PAGE will go out. If we find at the call or en route to the call additional information that more help will be needed, another page out will be initiated. If a second call comes in at the same time, another page will go out. So I ask you to think carefully and consider what I have mentioned above. If you would like to change your mind on what you have already sent me on the poll, please send another email. As I indicated, it will be a simple majority rule on how this is handled. It appears that there are people with strong feelings for either way of handling this, so I will let you decide what is best.

I will emphasize however that this is an emergency response business. We will dispatch to calls in the most effective and timely manner that is possible. When an apparatus has a suitably equipped and trained crew for the incident it will leave the station as soon as possible. If additional apparatus can be staffed and are required, then they will also respond. Remember, we are here to serve the customer (the person that calls 911).

By the way, the poll currently sits at 9 for changing to page out only when required and 6 have replied to maintain the current system and page out for everything.

Burning Issues

Today seemed to be the day for burning questions, even though it was not a burning day. Still a lot of confusion as to when and where you can burn. So for all you Sooke Fire Members and anyone else caring to know, these are the regulations.

Burning is permitted any day from October 1 to April 30 provided the VENTING INDEX is rated GOOD. On properties less than 2 acres, you can have one pile up to 2 x 2 x 1 m in size. (6'x6'x3' ) for those non metric people. On properties larger than 2 but less than 5 acres, your pile can be 2x2x2 m in size (or two smaller piles) On properties more than 5 acres in size, your pile can be 2 x 3 x 3 m in size (6 x 9 x 9 ft) or roughly the size of a dumptruck load.

For those wanting a burn pile larger than listed above, you must have a minimum of 10 acres of property and you must obtain a Class A burning permit at a fee of $50.00. This allows you to burn for 72 hours provided the Venting Index is GOOD the day you burn and predicted to be GOOD or FAIR the second day. There are no other exceptions. After 72 hours the fire must be extinguished. Your fire must also follow all of the Ministry of Environment Guidelines. This means the fire must be a 100 m from neighbouring homes, and 500 m from a day care, adult care facility, hospital or school in session. A person may obtain up to 4 permits per property per year and they must be a minimum of 15 calendar days apart. The burn pile must also be inspected by the fire department to ensure that all of the guidelines listed are in place.

Penalties for not complying with the burning bylaw are $200.00 for the first offence and $400.00 for repeat offences.

If a fire truck is called to put out the fire, the fee is $600.00 per hour for an engine and $180.00 per hour for the tender or one of the duty vehicles. This is on top of the fine listed above.

So to make this easy, check the Venting Index. If it is GOOD, you can burn. (but not tires, drywall, manure, bodies, cars, boats or GARBAGE) That is also a $200.00 fine.

Chimney Fire Season is Here

The first of the chimney fires occured this weekend. It appears we may be in for a cold winter this year, so this is likely only the beginning of a winter trend. Please remember to take it easy on the roof during this cold period. If you are on the aerial ladder, ensure that you are wearing a fall restraint system. If you are on the roof itself, use a roof ladder. Remember to place tarps whereever possible to prevent muck and debris from tracking through the home and don't forget the fan to keep the smoke from penetrating throughout the home. Follow the basic safety rules and everyone should go home safely.