News Release - September 19, 2018

RDN Volunteer Fire Departments Help the Province

We thank and recognize Coombs-Hilliers, Errington and Dashwood Volunteer Fire Departments for their support and efforts this summer assisting BC Wildfire Services throughout the province during their busiest wildfire season to date. Not only were our local Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) Volunteer Fire Departments busy ensuring our region was safe and protected this summer, there were also crews and equipment deployed throughout BC to assist as needed.

The support offered included equipment and rotations of crews for 7-14 days at a time both on the Island and in Northern BC including Burns Lake and Fort St. James during August and September. Fire Chief Aaron Poirier from the Coombs-Hilliers Fire Department went as a Task Force Leader during his deployment. "Our volunteer fire fighters were humbled to have the opportunity to assist and serve others in their time of need," Chief Poirier shared.

The BC Fire Commissioners Office can make the request when needed and these requests often happen when it is a particularly challenging fire season. It is viewed as an honour and compliment to be asked; prior to a state of emergency being issued it is also voluntary. The requests the Coombs-Hilliers, Errington and Dashwood Volunteer Fire Departments received were during the voluntary period and they worked quickly to mobilize and send their support where needed.

Working together to partner and support other levels of government is an important strategic priority for the Regional District of Nanaimo. Our volunteer fire departments assisting the provincial government during wildfire season is a great example of how working together is important. Thank you again, for being true leaders in our community and representing our region throughout BC when others needed assistance. For more information about the RDN Volunteer Fire Departments, Municipal or Improvement District Fire Departments, visit: rdn.bc.ca/fire-departments.

 

Contact:

Doug Gardiner
Fire & Rescue Services Coordinator
Regional District of Nanaimo
250-390-6756
dgardiner [at] rdn.bc.ca (dgardiner[at]rdn[dot]bc[dot]ca )