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How It All Began
Prior to the establishment of our local fire department, fire protection was limited to calling the provincial Ministry of Forests. As a result of various homes being lost (and some close calls), a need for a more local fire protection effort became clear.
Vern and Toni Norbury and some others in the community met at the old Eagle Creek School on the Thanksgiving weekend of 1989 and it was agreed that we'd form a firefighters' association.
Vern was nominated to be our first president by Anssi Rantamaa. Others on that first steering committee were Terry Wright, Bob Campbell, Alf Robinson, and Colleen Bell. Mel Dodge, the fire protection officer at 100 Mile promised to help with equipment and training if a firefighting unit was established.
The Department Starts To Take Shape
Dues were set and the society was registered. There was an immediate need for firefighter training and for equipment for firefighting. The Ministry of Forests and fire departments like 100 Mile and Forest Grove contributed old but serviceable gear and helped set up some training. Lee Helmer wrote a manual of standard operating procedures and helped devise an evacuation plan. Terry Wright first donated a trailer for the start-up group of volunteers to use and served as our first fire chief. We really needed a hall and for a fire truck so fundraising began to supplement dues collection.
Our first major fundraising event was a garage sale on Campbells' lawn in August 1990. About that time Toni Norbury began collecting bottles and cans in what was to become a lucrative tradition in our department. (That program is carried on today by Leona and Greg Hurrell assisted by the Duttons) For many years our garage sale was organized by Irene Johnson who was ably assisted by many volunteers. We had immediate need of a fire hall and so the association applied for and received a grant of lottery funds to help us get established.
Fire Hall, Fire Trucks, & Equipment
We acquired our first vehicle in 1990 (It was donated by Terry Wright!) and Bob Campbell and Gerry La Chapelle outfitted it with a tank and fire attack gear. Construction began on the fire hall in August 1991. Many of the materials were donated (including all the plywood sheeting by Weldwood) and of course the construction labour was all done by volunteers!
By the fall of 1991 we had a truck and a hall and were a real firefighting unit. Our fire chiefs have been Terry Wright, Gerry La Chapelle and now Bob Campbell. Vern Norbury, then Wayne Traill and most recently Peter Thomson have served as President of the Board of Directors.
As the years passed we added the tanker truck and more pumps and gear. Next we added the truck port to house the tanker and most recently we replaced the original pickup with our current four wheel drive unit. Don Reynolds has been invaluable fashioning equipment storage for both our vehicles.
Changes Continue
In recent years, we have shifted our primary fund raising effort from garage sales to a summer chicken barbeque featuring the fine cooking of Ted North and Suzanne's tireless hospitality. However, as in earlier years, a small host of volunteers continue to help out.
The Future
Our dedicated team of volunteer firefighters together with our broader team of supporting volunteers form a strong group devoted to protecting our community and our properties from fire.
Even though we have a relatively short history, the spirit of our effort stays true to the traditions established at the outset.
We are indebted to that original group of people who had the vision, foresight and energy to create an association that will serve our community well into the coming years.
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