firefighters

A briefing document prepared for the deputy minister of Indigenous Services Canada says there is currently no way to enforce provincial or national building or fire codes for buildings on reserves. But Blaine Wiggins, senior director of the Indigenous Fire Marshals Service, seen in an undated handout photo, says that enforcement gap has “catastrophic” consequences. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada

No way to enforce fire codes on First Nations, and new law would be costly: document

House fires have long posed a major safety risk to those living on reserve,

A briefing document prepared for the deputy minister of Indigenous Services Canada says there is currently no way to enforce provincial or national building or fire codes for buildings on reserves. But Blaine Wiggins, senior director of the Indigenous Fire Marshals Service, seen in an undated handout photo, says that enforcement gap has “catastrophic” consequences. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada
Firefighters stand by with hoses to snuff out any possible fire originating from spilled fuel after a truck crashed through a house in Nanoose Bay on Monday, Oct. 3. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Truck driver survives after crashing through house along Vancouver Island highway

Rescuers take three hours to extricate transport truck driver after incident near Nanaimo

Firefighters stand by with hoses to snuff out any possible fire originating from spilled fuel after a truck crashed through a house in Nanoose Bay on Monday, Oct. 3. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Image: RCMP logo

Mother killed, 4 children injured in head-on crash near Trail

The accident occurred after a Ford pickup entered oncoming traffic and collided with the family’s car

Image: RCMP logo
A Penticton firefighter demonstrates what not to do at their charity dodgeball tournament on Sept. 17. (PFD - Instagram)

Get ready to dodge some balls with Penticton Fire Department’s charity tournament

The dodgeball games will be held at Gyro Park all day Sept. 17

A Penticton firefighter demonstrates what not to do at their charity dodgeball tournament on Sept. 17. (PFD - Instagram)
The last segment of the the Combined Timed Activity or CTA on Aug. 30 for the four fire halls which make up the Salmon Arm Fire Department included firing a hose in order to knock a cone off a bucket. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)

VIDEO: Salmon Arm firefighters hone skills, race other halls, do ‘incredible job’

Fire Chief Brad Shirley compliments everyone who took part in timed skills contest

The last segment of the the Combined Timed Activity or CTA on Aug. 30 for the four fire halls which make up the Salmon Arm Fire Department included firing a hose in order to knock a cone off a bucket. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)
The historic Warren House on Lakeshore Drive became engulfed in flames and quickly was destroyed by fire on March 7. The Penticton Fire Department has to respond quickly to fires like this one, as well as medical calls, motor vehicle incidents and a range of other emergencies that wear on the firefighters. (Monique Tamminga - Western News)

Penticton firefighters understaffed and facing burnout: Union

The department currently has 36 staff on the payroll, out of a minimum goal of 40

The historic Warren House on Lakeshore Drive became engulfed in flames and quickly was destroyed by fire on March 7. The Penticton Fire Department has to respond quickly to fires like this one, as well as medical calls, motor vehicle incidents and a range of other emergencies that wear on the firefighters. (Monique Tamminga - Western News)
Oliver Fire Department. (Submitted photo)

Do not take selfies at an active fire scene, urges Oliver Fire Department

Fire crews were slowed getting through traffic to put out an RV on fire

Oliver Fire Department. (Submitted photo)
A wildfire was sparked in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

BC Wildfire responds to blaze in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park

Planes circling as smoke in Cosens Bay area of Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park

A wildfire was sparked in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
At its Aug. 18 meeting, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District board suspended the regional district’s COVID-19 vaccine policy for CSRSD firefighters. (File photo)

Columbia Shuswap Regional District suspends COVID-19 vaccine policy for firefighters

Regional district lost 45 firefighters after policy went into effect

At its Aug. 18 meeting, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District board suspended the regional district’s COVID-19 vaccine policy for CSRSD firefighters. (File photo)
The East Meadows Plateau wildfire is about 20 kilometres from the City of Kamloops. (Photo/BCWS Twitter)

Wildfire sparks just north of Kamloops

The fire is highly visible to Kamloops and the surrounding area

The East Meadows Plateau wildfire is about 20 kilometres from the City of Kamloops. (Photo/BCWS Twitter)
In November 2021 the Columbia Shuswap Regional District board approved a COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination Policy requiring staff, contractors, paid on-call firefighters and emergency management volunteers to be vaccinated. (CSRD photo)

Columbia Shuswap Regional District to discuss suspending vaccine policy for firefighters

Staff proposing removal of vaccine requirement for contractors, elected officials

In November 2021 the Columbia Shuswap Regional District board approved a COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination Policy requiring staff, contractors, paid on-call firefighters and emergency management volunteers to be vaccinated. (CSRD photo)
Kelowna Fire Department Chief Travis Whiting. (File photo)

Still a ladder to climb on Kelowna fire staffing: Chief

‘We will continue to work on resourcing, training, and equipping our front-line responders’

Kelowna Fire Department Chief Travis Whiting. (File photo)
Keremeos Creek fire was estimated at 437 hectares as of Sunday (July 31) morning (Photo courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)

Minimal overnight growth at Keremeos Creek fire in South Okanagan

Saturday’s evacuation and air quality alerts remain in effect

  • Jul 31, 2022
Keremeos Creek fire was estimated at 437 hectares as of Sunday (July 31) morning (Photo courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)
Keremeos Creek fire was estimated at 437 hectares as of Sunday (July 31) morning (Photo courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)

Minimal overnight growth at Keremeos Creek fire

Saturday’s evacuation and air quality alerts remain in effect

  • Jul 31, 2022
Keremeos Creek fire was estimated at 437 hectares as of Sunday (July 31) morning (Photo courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)
Highway 1 was closed in both directions following a multiple-vehicle collision on the Bruhn Bridge at Sicamous on Thursday evening, July 28, 2022. (Contributed)

Eight people sent to hospital after multiple-vehicle crash on Highway 1 bridge near Sicamous

Speed limit reduced to 30 km/h until further notice

Highway 1 was closed in both directions following a multiple-vehicle collision on the Bruhn Bridge at Sicamous on Thursday evening, July 28, 2022. (Contributed)
Fire truck. (Morning Star file photo)

Heat has Vernon firefighters on wildfire alert

Fire Rescue Services preparing for increased risk of wildfire conditions

Fire truck. (Morning Star file photo)
A fire at a 20th Street townhouse late Monday, July 18. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

UPDATE: Arson arrest made in suspicious explosive Vernon fire

Glass and debris strewn across road, no one was home in any of the three units

A fire at a 20th Street townhouse late Monday, July 18. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Kayla and son Jaxon Butts have their photo taken with local Rapattack members who provided them with a short ride in a fire services helicopter. (Contributed)

Salmon Arm firefighters help fill adventure wishlist of child in palliative care

Ride in Rapattack helicopter arranged for 4-year-old Jaxon Butts

  • Jul 5, 2022
Kayla and son Jaxon Butts have their photo taken with local Rapattack members who provided them with a short ride in a fire services helicopter. (Contributed)
Nanaimo Fire Rescue crews were able to rescue a beagle from a drain pipe Friday, July 1. (Photos courtesy Nanaimo Fire Rescue)

B.C. firefighters rescue dog trapped in drain pipe after ‘yelp for help’

Firefighters fasten blanket to fire hose to create ‘Q-tip’ to pull out panicked pooch

Nanaimo Fire Rescue crews were able to rescue a beagle from a drain pipe Friday, July 1. (Photos courtesy Nanaimo Fire Rescue)
Firefighter Bo Kutsiuruba, 6th from left, with volunteers with Firefighter Aid Ukraine. (Submitted)

Kelowna fire department donates to Ukrainian war effort

Ukrainian-born fireman delivers trailer full of equipment

Firefighter Bo Kutsiuruba, 6th from left, with volunteers with Firefighter Aid Ukraine. (Submitted)