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WEDNESDAY, July 23, 2014
NEWS BRIEFS Fire Risk in Fort St. James Rebecca Watson Caledonia Courier
The risk of wildfires for Fort St. James has been apparent in the recent ash and smoke. Although there are currently no wildfires in the area, the Nak’azdli Band and District of Fort St. James offices continue to monitor the situation through information provided by the Wildfire Management Branch. “If and when a wildfire starts that could impact the community, the Wildfire Management Branch (WMB) will contact the District of Fort St. James and Nak’azdli Band and the Integrated Emergency Management Plan will be activated,” said Emily Colombo, economic development officer, in a media release Friday July 18. Residents will be notified by the District of Fort St. James and Nak’azdli Band if either an ‘Evacuation Alert’ or ‘Evacuation Order’ is required via door-to-door notification, the district and band websites, Twitter and Facebook feeds, local radio station 97.9 and electronic signs. The District of Fort St. James also reminds families to review their emergency plans including the steps they would take in the event a home evacuation was in order. Families may consider things like insurance papers and important documents, personal memorabilia and medical requirements such as prescriptions and glasses. The district also reminds residents within municipal boundaries that a burning permit is required for backyard campfires and to be cautious when having and putting them out.
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Fire training in Fort St. James Rebecca Watson Caledonia Courier
Once started, a fire can burn through a modern-day home over five times faster than an older home considering the type of fuel. Where older homes are built with solid wood, newer homes have particle board and synthetics. Nonetheless, a fire can rip through any building faster than people can escape sometimes, so it’s always good to be prepared, said Fort St. James Fire Chief Michael Navratil. “We’ve got [wildfires] all around us but were doing alright. We had a couple little fires in the past few weeks but they were contained and were lucky they were,” said Chief Navratil. About six to eight times a year the Fire Rescue Team in Fort St. James holds a training session in the two-storey concrete structure behind the North Arm Pub and Public Works. The Photo by Rebecca Watson building mimics the first floor and basement of a ATTACKING FIRE: Fort St. James Fire Chief Michael Navratil is seen during the July 17 training session after igniting a house. practise fire to simulate a real-life situation. “Many times we are Once everything has been to entry, to do a walk around to sound the floor and make be completely black inside going down into a fire so this will simulate that. checked, the water is on, and spotting gas, oil or hydro sure it is structurally safe to and since they won’t be able to see anything most of the It’s called a blow grade fire the delegating officer outside lines and to notify BC Hydro enter. gives the go ahead, time, it’s essential to follow attack,” said Chief Navratil. the walls and open doors to Typically, firefighters the attack team can search each room. There are will suit up inside the truck approach the entry. two types of teams that will on their way to a call and But before entering enter the building. An attack then pull the hose from the someone must reteam and a rescue team. speedlay (hose holder) for move their glove and “For tonight we did an allimmediate use. For training use the back of their in-one just to train and have purposes the volunteers had hand to find the ‘hot us thinking that way,” said the hose already laid out and spot’ of the door. This Chief Navratil. were able to focus on properly is where the thermal line is and determines Richard Sutton, 25, and dressing themselves. Davin Birdi, 17, are firefight“We’re starting from how low they can er volunteers that went into scratch. It’s much quicker walk in the building. “If we get there the burning building a couple if were going to a fire and times for practise. plus, it’s hot out.” said Chief early enough the line will be higher up. “It’s nice to be apart of Navratil. the community. It allows A firefighter uniform can The line also tells us you to give back, you learn add around 70 extra pounds where the gases are some life-saving skills, and and consists of flame re- that can be upwards Photo by Rebecca Watson plus, you get to hang out with tardant boots, pants, coat, of 800 degrees. I’ve gloves, helmet, and air pack. gone into structures TRAINING: Two volunteers and Chief Navratil are seen outside sparky,” joked Mr. Sutton. Firefighter volunteers are Using a buddy check system were the top of a big- the training building preparing to enter. low, especially during the each firefighter must check screen TV is melted “This [practise building] summer months, said Chief their partner to make sure no and the bottom in fine,” said or PNG if there are any posis concrete but most residenc- Navratil. If anyone is interskin is showing, their pants Alex Gross, 25, who is cur- sible live wires or lines. After finding the hot spot, es are wood so this will let us ested in becoming an on-call are secure and their coat is on rently the training officer and in charge of delegating over the firefighter must then know if we can enter or will paid volunteer firefighter call properly. radio from outside the build- check the floor with an axe or the floor fall,” said Mr. Gross. 250-996-8670 and talk to ing. It is also his job, prior halligon (multipurpose tool) If it’s ok to enter, it will Nancy for an application.