Member Department Profile: Comox

Department Name: Comox Fire Rescue , Comox Fire Training Centre

Location and Zone (with google map): 1870 Noel Ave. Comox B.C., V9M 2K9

Fire Chief name: Fire Chief, Gord Schreiner, CFO, GIFireE

Training Officer name and rank: Assistant Chief, Rick Shelton

Number of members: 51, five full-time, forty-six paid on call.

Call Volume: 750 emergency incidents annually

Training night (if applicable): Tuesday evening, 19:30 to 21:30 and Friday afternoon, 14:30 to 16:30

Comox Fire Rescue is a modern, innovative emergency service organation providing a variety of preventive and emergency services to a population of over 20,000 in an area of 16 square miles. This includes the Town of Comox, the Comox Fire Protection Improvement District, the Bates Huband Local Service Area (Regional District of Comox-Strathcona), and the Comox Indian Band. Comox Fire Rescue also operates the Comox Fire Training Centre. Over 1,500 students have attended courses at this awesome training centre over the past few years.

Preventive Services Include:

·         regular fire safety inspections of public buildings and hazardous operations

·         enforcement of BC Fire Code requirements

·         permit process for underground storage tanks, open burning and fireworks

·         fire safety consultations for land clearing, development, building and occupancy issues

·         pre-incident emergency response planning (including lock-boxes)

·         free smoke alarm installation and testing

·         emergency preparedness education

·         fire and burn safety education

·         support to Learn Not To Burn Program in local elementary schools

·         support to Comox Valley’s Fire Safety House

Emergency Services Include:

·         firefighting (structures, vehicles, beach, bush, forest, flammable liquids/gases)

·         rescue (structures, vehicles, embankments, water)

·         mutual aid with other local fire departments (CFB Comox, Courtenay, Cumberland, Oyster River), RCMP, BC Ambulance Service and BC Forest Service

·         first responder assistance to BC Ambulance Service and BC Forest Service

·         assessing and limiting exposure to hazardous material leaks and spills

·         assessing and reporting environmental emergencies

·         Comox Valley Emergency Plan responder to major emergencies and disasters

Comox Fire Rescue is staffed by five full time and forty-six paid-on-call employees. The fire station has six truck bays, two training towers, a live fire training centre, a cold smoke search building, two classrooms, offices, and meeting room. Our fleet includes two engines, one ladder, two rescues, one fireboat, two trailers and three staff vehicle.

All of our firefighters are trained to NFPA 1001, Level 2 and all of our Officers are enrolled in the Fire Officer program. Our extensive training program provides a high density of employee certifications.

Organization

The Fire Department operates under the direction of the Fire Chief who is responsible to the Mayor and Council through the Town of Comox Administrator.

In order to deliver the services needed to accomplish the above stated mission, the Fire Department is organized into two major divisions:

·         Operations and Training; responsible for the delivery of emergency services including fire, rescue and emergency medical responses. This division is also responsible for achieving and maintaining the skills and expertise required by the firefighters to deliver these services. Comox Fire Rescue responds to over 700 emergency calls per year.

·         Fire Prevention and Public Education; responsible for fire inspections, plan reviews, permits, investigation and public education. The Fire Department conducts property fire safety inspections and provides many hours of public education in a variety of areas.

http://comox.ca/hall/departments/fire/