Canal Flats Fire Rescue says data shows the department’s workload returned to normal levels in 2022.
Fire Chief Zacc Farrell says they received 57 calls last year which is closer to pre pandemic levels, and down from 2021’s 80 calls for service.
“Medical calls have slowed down a bit, but we did quite a bit of training and got up on some first responder certification and got caught up on quite a bit of things like that,” Farrell says. “It is good for the citizens and the people needing our services, it means they weren’t calling and needing our help as often as previously.”
The fire department says 39 calls last year were for medical response, 7 were for fires or alarms and 10 were for motor vehicle incidents.
Canal Flats Fire also reached a major milestone in 2022 when they officially became a Red Cross training agency.
Fire Chief Zacc Farrell says now volunteers can be trained as a first responder or emergency medical responder in-house.
“That makes the training more attainable for our members, being able to keep it within the village so we don’t have to travel to the colleges or any other facilities like that,” he says. “And we can make it on our schedule to make sure all our members are available.”
The fire department’s 18 members put in a combined 2,700 hours in 2022.
You can find more information from the Village of Canal Flats here or below:
2022 was a big year for Canal Flats Fire Rescue, calls were down from 2021’s total of 80, but were more typical for the village prior to the pandemic.
Members also dedicated many hours to training, response and community events
Throughout the year the department responded to 57 calls for service in the area including Canal Flats but also Skookumchuk, Blue Lake, Fairmont and all variety of places in between.
The majority of calls, 39, were for medical response.
Seven were for fires or alarms and 10 were for motor vehicle incidents.
One ‘other’ call rounded out the total.
Their 18 members also put in 2,700 hours (about three and a half months) of time into practices, emergency calls and ongoing training to keep the community safe.
Another 300 hours were spent at community events such as Canal Days, hosting impromptu splash parks, Flats Fest, the department’s open house and Halloween and Christmas parades.
One member, Glen Alfonso, was recognized for 25 years of service.
Fire Chief Zacc Farrell said Alfonso is a valuable part of the department and always willing to help or learn new things.
Currently the department is open to new members. If you are curious about what volunteering entails contact Farrell at 250-417-1228 or cffr@canalflats.ca, or pop in at the hall at 6:30 p.m. on a Wednesday evening during the weekly practice.
– Zacc Farrell, Canal Flats Fire Rescue fire chief
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