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Like a lot of the smaller departments across the country , our biggest challenge with our fire trucks is trying to make them meet all the demands in today ’ s fire service .
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WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORY OF WORKING WITH THE QUADRA ISLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT ?
After 27 years , there are too many favourite memories to pick just one . I have been given numerous opportunities that I would never have had the chance to experience if I hadn ’ t joined the department back in 1994 . One of those opportunities happened early on in my firefighting career when the residents of Kemano , a small town in the center of BC , were being moved out and the houses that were left behind needed to be disposed of . The powers that be offered these buildings to the local police , fire , and military divisions to do scenario-based training . In return , we were asked to burn down all of the structures . Quadra Island was one of the many departments at the time to send personnel to participate in the training and to help get rid of the many condemned houses . We burned down 21 structures in a single weekend , which was more experience fighting fire in one weekend than one would normally get in 15 years on the job . What an experience that was !
HOW MANY FIRST RESPONDERS ARE THERE
ON QUADRA ISLAND , AND WHAT KINDS OF CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE ?
Along with the fire department , we have an RCMP Detachment and an ambulance station to assist with first response . A unique quality about Quadra that makes it challenging to fight fires is the lack of hydrants and the lack of an official building code . We never know what we are going to find when we respond to a structure fire because homeowners are allowed to add on to any structure without adhering to any kind of code .
WHAT ’ S THE SIZE OF YOUR DEPARTMENT AS
FAR AS NUMBER OF MEMBERS , FULL-TIME AND VOLUNTEER ?
Quadra Island Fire Department is a composite department comprising 36 volunteers and two paid positions . Myself as Fire Chief and the Deputy Chief are both paid positions .
HOW MANY STATIONS DO YOU RESPOND FROM ?
We have two fire halls eight kilometers apart . One is a satellite hall housing two apparatus that we are in the process of replacing with four new apparatus and space for a workshop , turnout gear room , gym , offices and sleeping pods .
WHAT IS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE YOU ’ RE CURRENTLY FACING IN YOUR DEPARTMENT ?
The biggest challenge we face in our department is member recruitment and retention .
HOW MANY TRUCKS DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR FLEET ?
We currently have six units of apparatus . These include two engines , two tankers , a compressed air foam system truck , and a hose-laying vehicle . We are considering adding a command vehicle to the fleet this year by purchasing a used vehicle from another department .
WHAT ’ S THE MAIN CHALLENGE THAT YOU FACE IN REGARD TO YOUR TRUCKS AT THIS POINT ?
Like a lot of the smaller departments across the country , our biggest challenge with our fire trucks is trying to make them meet all the demands in today ’ s fire service . We just can ’ t afford to have a single truck for each and every specific job .
WHAT WAS IT LIKE WORKING WITH METALFAB FOR YOUR CUSTOM FIRE TRUCK ?
Our experience with Metalfab has been outstanding . They have made the process of purchasing a truck very easy , and the quality of work is excellent . We have now purchased two units of apparatus from Metalfab , and we hope to be back for number three in a few years time .
METALFAB : QUALITY YOU CAN COUNT ON
Thank you so much to Sharon Clandening of Quadra Island Fire Department for interviewing with Metalfab ’ s Business Development Manager , Ryan Stacey . If you ’ d like to learn more about the Quadra Island department , you can visit their website at www . quadraisland . ca .
If you ’ re in the market for a new fire truck yourself , our Metalfab team would love to hear from you .
Give us a call at 1-800-561-0012 or contact Ryan directly at rastacey @ metalfabfiretrucks . com .
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