Gibsons & District Volunteer Fire Department (GDVFD) chief Rob Michael began by saying membership is “at full capacity,” with 50 firefighters, including eight new recruits, when he delivered the GDVFD Quarter 1 report to Gibsons council members during the April 22 committee of the whole.
Michael said eight members of the department attended the Climb The Wall fundraiser for the BC Lung Foundation in Vancouver in March. The team ended up raising $14,836, he said. Firefighter Lisa Stiver was recognized as a top fundraiser for the event, individually collecting $5,360.
The fire department responded to 78 calls for service in the first quarter, including multiple structure fires, one of them during a snowstorm, several boats on fire on land, also during a snowstorm, and an explosion in a gas oven.
During the quarter, the fire prevention team completed 81 fire and life safety inspections, nine referrals and six fire investigations.
According to Michael, training this quarter focused on wildfire preparedness, rapid intervention, firefighter survival, exterior operations and gas safety.
The fire department was also active in schools this quarter. Michael said the department participated in elementary school egg drops, did a safety talk at a local care facility and visited a local daycare. The fire prevention and life safety officer was also requested to speak with a small group of secondary students about the dangers of lighting fires, he said.
Michael also shared that there was some “minor flooding” at the Chaster Road Fire Hall, which requires some investigation.
Jordan Copp is the Coast Reporter’s civic and Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
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