The Lake Cowichan Fire Department is actively seeking new members for its fall firefighter intake. Those wanting to help the community by performing this essential public service are asked to pick up an application at the Town of Lake Cowichan Offices at 39 South Shore Rd. or email lakecowfire@shaw.ca.
“It’s a volunteer type hall and it’s a fair commitment but they get a lot of training,” explained Chief Doug Knott. “They can become a certified firefighter out of it. They can serve their community. They are volunteer firefighters but they are paid, on-call positions.”
The experiences range from false alarms to out of control wildfires. Lake Cowichan Tender #2 returned home safely recently after putting in time helping fight the White Rock Lake fire near Vernon.
Coordinating the feat was no easy task as CVRD partners from Youbou Fire Department, Mesachie Lake Fire Department, Honeymoon Bay Fire Department and Sahtlam Fire Department were all at the ready to help out should Lake Cowichan’s department need them.
“We put in 31 days all told, two at a time on a tender and they were in all the bad spots: Westside Road, they had to evacuate from there when the fire overtook them, and they stayed and fought at Monte Creek when the fire overtook them there,” Knott noted. “They had some very severe conditions but they saved a lot of homes.”
Formed in 1947, the Lake Cowichan Fire Department protects all areas from Meade Creek to Skutz Falls, including the Town of Lake Cowichan.
sarah.simpson@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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