COURTENAY, B.C. – 51 firefighters from 12 different departments across Vancouver Island were in Courtenay earlier this month for some training.
The Courtenay Fire Department teamed with the Vancouver Island Fire Fighters Association to host the 2018 Fall Training Session on November 3rd and 4th.
Crew members participated in training exercises that included rope rescue, auto extrication, urban interface firefighting techniques, electrical safety, natural gas safety, forcible entry, traffic control and fire fighter survival training at both the W.A. Lane MacDonald Fire Training Center and the Courtenay Fire Hall on Cumberland Road.
“The quality of instruction delivered to the participating firefighters was very well received, and everyone learned something of value that they could take back to their home departments,” said Deputy Fire Chief Dennis Henderson, in a city-issued release.
“I’m really proud of how much support we received from our neighbouring fire departments, community partners and our own members involved in hosting this event.”
12 members of the Courtenay department helped with the event. This was the second time the department hosted the training session.
“The Courtenay Fire Department extends special thanks to Fire Service Instructors from Oyster River Fire Rescue, Cumberland Fire Rescue, BC Hydro and the BC Safety Authority for their assistance in course delivery, as well as Georgia Straight Collision for donating the vehicles used in the auto extrication exercise,” read the city release.
The W.A. Lane MacDonald Fire Training Centre has been in operation since October 2015.
It features a training area encircled by a built-to-scale city street, working fire hydrants, and space for driver training, and pumper operator training.
