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The Denman Island Volunteer Fire Department responds to many different types of emergencies. We respond to fires of all types, of course, for example: structure fires, chimney fires, brush fires. A large proportion of our callouts are for medical emercencies of various types. We also respond to vehicle accidents, cliff rescues, etc.
| First Responder | 17 |
| Structural Fires | 3 |
| Brushfire | 0 |
| Vehicle fire | 0 |
| Chimney Fires | 3 |
| Power Lines | 4 |
| MVI | 1 |
| Rescue | 0 |
| Search | 1 |
| Duty Pages & Misc. | 8 |
| TOTAL | 37 |
| Call Type | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Annual Totals: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure Fires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Chimney Fires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Brush Fires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 |
| Beach Fires / Camp Fires / Burn Piles | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Vehicle Accidents | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| First Responder (Medical) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 34 |
| Rescue | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hydro Incident | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Smoke Report | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| Month Total | 6 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 68 |
The response time of a rural volunteer fire department varies depending on the distance from the firehall to the scene of the emergency and the availability of volunteer firefighters. The DIVFD prides itself on having rapid response times. In recent incidents we have managed to get the first fully-equipped firefighters to a scene in eight to twelve minutes of receiving the 911 call from Fire Dispatch, even when the scene was several kilometres from the hall.
In the event of a fire, all our vehicles and all available firefighters respond.
First on the scene will be the Incident Commander in Truck 50, our command and control vehicle. He or she will evaluate the situation and plan the response, including where to locate each fire truck for the optimum response.
The second vehicle will be Truck 53, our rapid attack vehicle, carrying three firefighters and equipped with 250 gallons of on-board water, foam, breathing apparatus, and rescue equipment. This crew can begin initial firefighting operations within minutes of arriving, without waiting for additional vehicles.
The third vehicle on a scene will be Truck 55, our pumper, with three firefighters. The Incident Commander will position it at a safe distance near the fire, where it will remain for the duration, providing water to the main firefighting hoses. It will begin operations using water from its 750-gallon on-board tank until the tanker trucks arrive and begin delivering their water loads.
The remaining vehicles, Trucks 54 and 51 will arrive on the scene after Truck 55. Each carries a crew of up to three firefighters. They will set up a portable water tank near the pumper and will deliver their loads (1700 and 1000 gallons respectively) into it. For the duration of the fire fighting operation, they will shuttle back and forth between the nearest water source (typically a marsh or pond) and the fire scene to maintin a steady supply of water.
Many of our firefighters are trained and licensed First Responders, and can provide emergency first aid in medical emergencies. Because we have a large body of personnel who are on call 24/7, we can usually get to an incident faster than an ambulance can. This allows the patient to begin receiving qualified help in the shortest possible time.
First Responders are called out automatically by the B.C. Ambulance Service for certain types of medical emergencies. So, do not be surprised if you call for an ambulance and fire fighters show up first!
The first vehicle on scene in a medical emergency will be Truck 50, with three First Responders. Truck 50 carries a "jump" kit, oxygen and a portable automatic defibrillator. Depending on the nature of the emergency, Truck 53 may also respond, with two more First Responders on board, as well as all manner of rescue equipment.
Once the B.C. Ambulance Service paramedics arrive on the scene, the fire department first responders will hand over to them, remaining on the scene to assist if required.
When you see a fire truck or other emergency vehicle with its emergency lights flashing and siren operating, most people know that they are required by law to pull over and stop at the side of the road to let the vehicle have the right of way. Do not enter an intersection if an emergency vehicle is approaching.
However, before firefighters can get into their trucks, they have to get from their home or workplace to the fire hall. Volunteer firefighters have taken on a committment to drop what they are doing when they hear the pager and get to the fire hall as fast as possible in order to save lives and property that could be yours.
Volunteer firefighters' vehicles display a red Fire Department plate on the front. When responding to a call, firefighters will usually have their four-way flashers turned on.
Firefighters responding in their personal vehicles have no special privileges on the road and must obey all traffic laws. However, if you see a vehicle with the red firefighter plate approaching with its flashers on, it is courteous to pull over and let it by as though it were an emergency vehicle. After all, they are on their way to a fire or other emergency. If it were your house on fire or your loved one suffering from a medical emergency, you would want them to get there as quickly as possible!
Copyright © 2010 Denman Island Volunteer Fire Department
Last modified: 20-Jun-2010