TUESDAY
COMMUNITY
ARTS
April 30, 2013 Vol. 28 • No. 35 ••• $1.25 inc. G.S.T.
Dedicated Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue volunteers will leave no stone unturned to find you. page 8
Once again, arts will hit the heights this year in downtown Courtenay. page 9
COMOX VALLEY Your community. Your newspaper.
RECORD
BANK
LOCAL
Join F
We’re he irst Credit Union & In re for you su and your rance. commu
nity.
fightback.ca
A division of
www.comoxvalleyrecord.com
SNOW TO SURF Victoria’s Melanie Conrad of the Has Beens rings the bell at the Royal LePage Comox Valley Snow to Surf Adventure Relay Race. More, page 13. PHOTO BY SCOTT STANFIELD
Comox Fire Centre wowed‘rock star’ Erin Haluschak
focuses on the “B.S. of emergency services — brain shutdown,” Record Staff when a first responder or fireHe’s travelled and visited hun- fighter might get tunnel vision dreds, if not thousands of fire when encountering an emergency. This was Gasaway’s first trip to stations across the United States and Canada, but the Comox Fire Vancouver Island, and said when Department left a particularly he scheduled his trip to Comox, good impression on Richard Gas- he no idea what was in store. “This would prove to be one away. Gasaway is a 30-year veteran of the most productive learning in emergency services and former opportunities I’ve experienced in my 30-plus years fire chief, is now a in the fire service,” professional speakhe wrote. er and author, This would “To say I was considered to be impressed is a one of the leading prove to be one of gross understateauthorities on first the most productive responder situ- learning opportunities ment. I was in ational awareness I’ve experienced in my awe.” Gasaway went and decision-mak30-plus years in the on to compliment ing under stress. the equipment and In early March, fire service. To say I layout of the fire he visited the was impressed is a hall and quality of Comox Fire Department for gross understatement. the training facility. two days of pre- I was in awe. residents sentations with Richard Gasaway of “The Comox are truly more than 170 fireblessed to have fighters (25 from Comox) from Vancouver Island one of the finest fire departments I’ve ever had the opportunity to attending the session. It left a positive impact on visit,” he added. “I remain hopeful Comox Fire Chief Gord Schreiner, that all fire departments across but he felt even more honoured Canada and the U.S. would be as after he received a letter from professional and committed.” ••• Gasaway a few weeks later. No stranger to delivering fire “Of all the thank you letters I have received over the years, training sessions himself, Schthis one is particularly reward- reiner recently returned from the ing as Dr. Gasaway is widely Maritimes presenting his Stop considered a fire service expert Bad Tour to more than 500 hunin North America,” he explained, dred firefighters, and picked up and added he is considered a some media attention along the way. “rock star” of the fire service. His two-week speaking tour “I was very flattered to get the letter. We get a lot of praise, throughout Newfoundland, Nova but nothing like this. It’s a new Scotia, PEI and New Brunswick area of expertise, and we were caught the attention of CBC, honoured to have him,” he added. and Schreiner was featured in a Schreiner explained Gasaway ... see CHIEF ■ 2
❝
❞
2013 Tundra Dlr#7478
445 Crown Isle Boulevard
250.338.6761
www.courtenaytoyota.com
With up to 10,000 lbs towing capacity, Tundra is ready for summer fun!
0%
36 OR 60 MONTH PURCHASE FINANCING* OR
Toyota
1.9%
cmyk
6,000 OFF
$ *OAC, See Dealer for Details
48 MONTH LEASE* OR UP TO
*