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Firefighter

New wildfire recruits put through paces

MERRITT - More than 200 seasonal firefighter applicants have made the cut and this month they are being put through a ‘rigorous’ bootcamp near Merritt. About 1,000 people, many of which are post-secondary students, apply for the positions every year. Provincial Fire Information Officer Kevin Skrepnek says the job is "very in demand" and the...

Enderby couple toughs out grim diagnosis with love and laughter

ENDERBY - Ray Hartt, an Enderby firefighter, will do just about anything for his wife, recently diagnosed with a rare and fatal autoimmune condition. He doesn’t hesitate to do the dishes or the laundry. He installed a remote control camera in the house so he can keep an eye on her, even when he’s not...

Father thought he’d be celebrating her wedding, not her life

KELOWNA – In the parking lot of a large church in Rutland, friends and family of the young woman killed in a car accident last week watched as her remains were slowly driven down Highway 33 atop a Joe Rich Fire Rescue truck. Hundreds of people gathered on Saturday morning, Feb. 7, to remember Alexandra Paulina...

Penticton firefighter commended for bravery

PENTICTON - A Penticton firefighter was commended for bravery during a presentation at the Jan. 14, 2015 meeting of Penticton city council. Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit presented firefighter Curtis Gibbons with a Certificate of Commendation from the office of the Governor General of Canada in recognition of his assistance in helping a drowning swimmer in...

Firefighter calendar sold out, $40K raised for burn fund

KAMLOOPS - The Kamloops Firefighters Charitable Society has met its goal by selling all 2,000 printed calendars featuring photos of local firefighters. A total of $40,000 - 100 per cent of the proceeds - will be donated to the B.C. Professional Firefighters Burn Fund to help burn survivors and build a new centre. In addition...

UPDATE: Smith Creek fire now 30 per cent contained

WEST KELOWNA – Some positive news from the fire lines at the Smith Creek wildfire burning in West Kelowna Saturday morning. B.C. Wildfire Management is reporting the 260 hectare blaze is now 30 per cent contained. The perimeter contained is the area of the fire closest to the 1,100 evacuated homes. The cooler temperatures, higher humidity...

Why wildland firefighters keep coming back

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - It can feel like warfare; heading into a fire, in the middle of nowhere for days on end at the mercy of Mother Nature. Yet something about being on the battle lines draws in wildland firefighters season after season. For Jarvis Manuel, a 14-year veteran with B.C. Wildfire, it’s the people. For Thomas...

Police investigating person of interest in burning hedge

KELOWNA – RCMP are investigating a person of interest who may have information about how a row of hedges caught fire Monday night. Kelowna fire crews were called to a home on Raymer Rd. and Grenfell Cres. at around 9:30 after neighbours reported seeing 30 foot flames coming from a dozen tall cedars on the...

Vernon firefighters association rings alarm bells over staffing structures

MAYOR SAYS STAFFING STRUCTURE IS EFFICIENT, COST-SAVING AND DOESN’T CAUSE HIM CONCERN VERNON - A heated debate over Vernon's decision to deploy fire crews in groups of two instead of four continues to simmer. The Vernon Professional Firefighters Association is speaking out about staffing structures following the release of a YouTube video showing a fire...

A closer look at Vernon’s rash of arsons

TIMES AND LOCATIONS DISPLAYED ON ARSON MAP VERNON - While investigators continue to hunt for clues in a continuing series of suspected arsons, a map shows most were set within four kilometers of each other between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. The suspicious fires — set in dumpster bins, pallets, vacant homes and vehicles —...