HIFR Volunteers At New Clinic Project

Ten members of the fire department gave up a Saturday to retrofit some additional floor supports in the new clinic. We installed 14 new footings in the crawlspace of the clinic. These footings will bear the weight of 6×6 posts that will support the existing beams midspan.

All of the concrete was mixed outside of the crawlspace, loaded into 5 gallon buckets, and pushed on dollies to the forms that were being filled. Saddles were then placed on the footings to hold the posts.

Hornby Island Fire Rescue is proud to be a part of this massive community effort to build our new medical clinic. We have a special stake in this building since it is where most of our medical calls either end or start out. We all feel a little more connected to the building having worked on it.

More Smoke Detectors Available

The latest batch of smoke detectors has arrived. They are available for free just by calling the fire department at 250.335.2611. Leave a message and someone will bring one or two by your house and even install it for you.

By installing a detector you just may save a life and your property down the road. If you are renting your cabin, you have a legal obligation to make sure you have a working smoke alarm in place.

New Pump Works Like a Champ

We’ve replaced one of our ancient 18HP Hale portable pumps with a shiny new 27HP Kohler. Although it has twice the pumping capacity, it only weighs a bit more than the old one, and it so much easier to get running.

Here on Hornby we have no hydrants and water supply is a big challenge for us. What we do have around here is plenty of ocean water and a few ponds and lakes. Having a high volume portable pump improves our water supply situation immensely. We’ve been spending a fair amount of time lately, on our Thursday night practices, working with the new pump to ensure that everyone gets a a chance to become more acquainted with the new beast.

New Recruit Deep in Training

We’re excited to have Patrick Lui join the department this fall. Patrick is just the latest of our recruits to embark on a lifetime of training to improve his skills as a firefighter. Patrick will devote 2 evenings a week for the next 6 months to get the basic training required to become a firefighter.

He has already show his worth by finishing high in the pack in our yearly obstacle course and fitness test we call the “Firefighter Challenge”. Welcome aboard Patrick!