The Errington Volunteer Fire Department (EVFD) will host a joint training project on March 23 and March 24 in conjunction with the BC Wildfire Service.
The ‘Engine Boss’ course will see more than 80 firefighters and their corresponding apparatus from departments all over Vancouver Island gather in Errington to hone their wildfire skills, according to a news release by EVFD.
“The EVFD continually strives to be a leader in rural fire protection,” the release stated. “Fire Chief Steve Ternes said the Engine Boss course is just one of many tools fire departments are using to combat extreme weather events and wildfire risks.”
Brian Hutchinson, superintendent of fire services with BC Wildfire Service, said they offer the training program annually and a unique aspect of the course is the ability for multiple fire departments to come together and be deployed as a single unit.
“We train everyone as a single task force. We mimic what would be happening on a deployment in a community being impacted by wildfire. We give them a leader, an operation area and they apply varying tactics,” explained Hutchinson.
Residents will notice a lot of action on March 23 and March 24 with many engines and tenders from a multitude of fire departments moving as a group through the community.
Hutchinson said the practical portion of the course is carried out in real time and fire personnel will be simulating what they need to do in the field if they are deployed to a real wildfire.
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Improving the BC Wildfire Service’s capabilities, and equipping volunteer fire departments with the proper training will strengthen wildfire response and prevent the mounting economic and human toll that have resulted from wildfires.
Chief Ternes pointed out the snowpack is at low levels and the forecast of a dry summer is cause for concern.
“It is not a matter of if wildfires will happen… rather when they will happen and how prepared we are,” said Ternes.
He said it is also up to residents to become fire-wise because it makes their job much easier when the flames and embers hit the air.
“When the fires are here it is too late to pull wood and debris away from your house.”
Residents should check for ignition points in and around homes and yards and remove debris.
— NEWS Staff