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
The 2022 Aerial Firefighting Conference was held at the KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence on Sept. 20, 2022 (Brittany Webster - Capital News)

First big event at Centre for Excellence in Kelowna talks aerial firefighting

Kelowna company SKYTRAC was one of the featured businesses

The 2022 Aerial Firefighting Conference was held at the KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence on Sept. 20, 2022 (Brittany Webster - Capital News)
(Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)

Stove fire brings out emergency crews in Kelowna

Called out around 3p.m. on Sept. 16

(Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)
The District of Peachland’s current fire hall is too small to accommodate all vehicles and equipment. (Photo/District of Peachland)

Referendum coming for proposed Peachland protective services building

Residents being asked to support the borrowing of up to $17.5M for new building

The District of Peachland’s current fire hall is too small to accommodate all vehicles and equipment. (Photo/District of Peachland)
Lake Country firefighters gathered in Ottawa for the 2022 Canadian Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend where Karl Featherstone was honoured for his service before passing away in October 2020 (Contributed)

Lake Country firefighter has name engraved on memorial wall

Karl Featherstone’s family received a memorial helmet for his service

Lake Country firefighters gathered in Ottawa for the 2022 Canadian Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend where Karl Featherstone was honoured for his service before passing away in October 2020 (Contributed)
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)
A fire broke out at an abandoned building in Rutland on Sept. 14. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)

Fire breaks out at abandoned home in Kelowna’s Rutland neighbourhood

Reports of squatters recently in building

A fire broke out at an abandoned building in Rutland on Sept. 14. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)
Firefighters and civilians in Kelowna marched up Knox Mountain on Sept. 11, 2022 to mark the 21st anniversary of the twin towers terror attack (Brittany Webster - Capital News)

Remembering the firefighters lost in 9/11 attacks by climbing Kelowna’s Knox Mountain

Firefighters climbed in full gear, adding an extra 60 pounds of equipment

Firefighters and civilians in Kelowna marched up Knox Mountain on Sept. 11, 2022 to mark the 21st anniversary of the twin towers terror attack (Brittany Webster - Capital News)
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)
The community of Peachland is outgrowing its downtown fire hall. (Photo/Peachland Fire & Rescue Service Facebook)

Peachland council to decide on borrowing millions for new fire hall

A staff report recommends minimizing the tax impact on residents as much as possible

The community of Peachland is outgrowing its downtown fire hall. (Photo/Peachland Fire & Rescue Service Facebook)
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

Saturday’s evacuation and air quality alerts remain in effect

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