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Family donates unique firefighting tool

Brian donating the DSPA to the Fire ChiefBrian Peterson has donated a Dry Sprinkler Powder Aeresol (DSPA) unit to the Fire Department. The DSPA functions by activating the unit generator which is based on the inhibition of oxidation-reduction reactions of highly refined particles (aerosols) of salts and oxides of alkali and alkaline metals. These particles precipitate with the combustion of the aerosol-forming agent and remain in suspension for a long time. The process of high-temperature combustion of the solid agent that is located in the generator body causes the formation of fire extinguishing aerosols.

What this means is that the Duty Officer will carry the cannister and when arriving at a house fire, can activate the unit by pulling the ignition cord and throwing the cannister into the house, at the fire. The unit is able to control the fire, while awaiting the arrival of the Fire Department. Insurance Companies have recognized these units as reducing fire damage and will replace the unit, valued at around $1,200.  There are of course limits as to what the DSPA can do. They won’t help if the house is fully engulfed in flames.

Brian’s generous donation adds one more tool to our effective fire fighting capabilities.

Brian is the son of Sig and Elizabeth Peterson who purchased their lot in the middle of Whaling Station Beach in 1954 and built their cabin using odd pieces of plywood and still stands to-day. You may know Sig by the paintings he sells every summer.

Don is another son of Sig and Elizabeth and he and his wife, Debra, just bought a place on St. John’s Point Road with the intention of retiring here in a year or so. Don and Debra were neighbours of Giff and Suzanne, when they both lived on Sumas Prairie and are the ones who introduced our Fire Chief to beautiful Hornby Island.

Military Location Markers

A Public Service Announcement from the military. Click for the full sized version.

A visitor to our island stopped into the Fire Hall today as I was about to go home after a call out. He had found a Military Location Marker or MLM on the beach at Tribune Bay. Knowing that it was a dangerous item and that it could seriously harm a child he put it into the back of his truck and brought it to the Fire Hall.

The Canadian Forces take these markers very seriously. They have a team of people  at CFB Comox who’s job is to pick these things up and properly dispose of them. I called them to say that we had one and before I made it home they had called back and arranged to come to Hornby in their boat and pick it up.

MLMs contain an intensely burning chemical and are used mostly in search and rescue operations. Occasionally they fail to completely burn up and can re-ignite. In fact, when we dumped it out to take a photo of it, a blob of phosphorous fell out and ignited on the concrete apron.

If you find one washed up on the shore be very careful of it. It is not a good idea to pick it up as it may dump some burning chemical on you or in your car. Mark it or flag it and call one of:

  • the Fire Department at 335.2611
  • the Duty Officer who’s phone number is at the side of this web page
  • Joint Rescue Coordination Center at 1-800-567-5111


HIFR Donates to Firefighters Without Borders

Even a small rural department like ours has gear that is underused, too old, or has been replaced with a better alternative. Firefighters Without Borders collects this gear and takes it to developing countries where they distribute it and give training in modern firefighting techniques.

Chief LaRose took a pickup truck load of helmets, bunker gear, hoses, old breathing apparatus, and some machinery to Vancouver Island where it was picked up by a FFWB rep for their upcoming operations.

It is satisfying to us that our old equipment is going to help out a smaller, poorer department instead of ending up in a landfill. Thanks to FFWB for all their good work.

Tragic Events at Helliwell Bluffs

On the afternoon of  Saturday,  May 19, we were called to Helliwell Park. We arrived on scene at the bluffs to find a motionless patient at the bottom of an overhanging 15-20 meter cliff. While we rigged our rope systems to get our team to the patient, two civilian first aiders were able to get to the patient from the water via private boats. They found the patient unresponsive, with no pulse and began CPR.

The Canadian Coast Guard was dispatched from French Creek and arrived just after the Fire Department team got to the patient. The rescuers at the bottom of the bluffs, with a belay from the team at the top, were able to transfer the patient to the Coast Guard boat on which she was transported to Tribune Bay to the waiting Air Ambulance crew. Sadly, the rescuers were never able to restore a pulse despite administration of CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator.

Witnesses say that she had been walking to the lookout near the edge of the cliff when she appeared to bend over to pick something up and fell over the edge. Our thoughts and hearts go out to friends and family affected by this tragic accident. HIFR is very appreciative of the help given by the two responders from Bowser, the impressive response from the Coast Guard and BC Air Ambulance, and the coordination from the RCMP.

A Poem From a Supporter

To all the Hornby Island firefighters and the ones who wait.

He’s gone. Out the door, running. To the truck, to the station, to the house on fire. Met by all the others -courageous souls- having left warm beds. Minds woken and run-through with a quickening revision of skills. Flames ahead are not warming; they are not of the candle stick variety. They are a different beast, grown monstrous from pretty ember, from glow to raging live flame. He’s gone. Out the door. And I wait, in the dark.

— Rachelle Chinnery

Cadet Camp 2012 Cancelled

With a sad heart we have had to cancel this year’s Cadet Camp. We only had 10 registrants this year and we need 12 to make it happen.

The spring break for this school district didn’t line up with the break for the South Island and Lower Mainland districts. This means that the 6 or 8 kids that have summer homes here weren’t able to attend. Hopefully next year the dates will line up better for us.

HIFR Installs Fire Extinguishers at Elder Housing

The Hornby Island Elder Housing Village is a convenient and affordable housing village for Islanders 55 years and older. The society that operates the village relies on the generosity of Hornby Islanders and the goodwill of volunteers to keep the rents as low as possible.

Chief LaRose volunteered the better part of a Saturday installing over a dozen fire extinguishers in the dwelling units ensuring that each unit has a working extinguisher. Thanks for your work, Giff.

Marching in Support

On Jan 5 Al Cannon and I were in Enderby to convey Hornby Island Fire Rescue’s deep sadness in the death of Enderby firefighter Dan Botkin. We marched with over 1100 other firefighters in support of the Enderby Fire Department and a community mourning the tragic loss of one of their brightest stars.

The parade wound like a navy blue ribbon through 1KM of downtown streets lined with residents. The only sounds heard were the boots on the street and the pipers at the parade’s head… no cars… no busses… no voices. As we marched, the divisions between volunteer, paid, and auxiliary members melted away and we changed from an assembly to an association.

I saw the row of school kids who had been let out to watch the procession holding their colourful sign stating, “We salute our emergency workers” but was too emotional to acknowledge them. Same with the older gentleman who was unable to march but was standing along the route proudly wearing his long service medals.

Once at the arena, we entered in single file and filled the auditorium floor while the community members filled the stands. A moving service took place with some particularly powerful words from our Lieutenant Governor, Steven Point and two of Dan’s long time friends.

We travelled 11 hours each way in a cramped vehicle with 4 other firefighters, and at times on the way there I was wondering what I was doing it for. On the way home, though, I knew I would be willing to travel twice as far in worse conditions to experience again the pride and sense of belonging that I felt during that parade.

— Doug Chinnery