firefighters

Jeannine Caldbeck has served as fire chief of the Thetis Island Volunteer Fire Department since 2005. (Photo by Dave Tarris)

Thetis Island fire chief first female in Canada to receive Lifetime Achievement Award

Canadian Volunteer Fire Services Association cites Caldbeck’s significant commitment

Jeannine Caldbeck has served as fire chief of the Thetis Island Volunteer Fire Department since 2005. (Photo by Dave Tarris)
A fire scene several hundred metres from the nearest water supply made it difficult to battle a blaze that destroyed a barn in north Nanaimo on Thursday, Sept. 30. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo firefighters battle barn blaze for several hours

Crews were called out at about 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, to corner of Jenkins and Dines roads

A fire scene several hundred metres from the nearest water supply made it difficult to battle a blaze that destroyed a barn in north Nanaimo on Thursday, Sept. 30. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)
A golden retriever rescued after falling over a cliff face near Ammonite Falls on Friday, Sept. 24, avoided injury in the ordeal and posed for a photo with rescuers including firefighter Joe Mayzes, left, Capt. Darcy Morgan and firefighter Geoff Gowans, volunteers with East Wellington Fire Department. (Photo courtesy East Wellington Fire Department)

Volunteer firefighters rescue dog from cliff face near Nanaimo waterfall

Golden retriever falls 15 metres over cliff while walking with owner

A golden retriever rescued after falling over a cliff face near Ammonite Falls on Friday, Sept. 24, avoided injury in the ordeal and posed for a photo with rescuers including firefighter Joe Mayzes, left, Capt. Darcy Morgan and firefighter Geoff Gowans, volunteers with East Wellington Fire Department. (Photo courtesy East Wellington Fire Department)
A surprise barbecue was a welcome break for more than 25 hungry and tired firefighters after a day working on the Mt. Hayes wildfire behind Ladysmith. Four of the tired crew, having finished their dinner, are Matt Black from McKenzie, left, and Alex MacPhail, Keaton Grunder and Ben Bouchut all from Fort St. John. (Duck Paterson photo)

Campground and community feed hungry firefighters to say thanks

Rondalyn Resort put on a barbecue for more than 25 firefighters who had been working at Mt. Hayes

  • Sep 2, 2021
A surprise barbecue was a welcome break for more than 25 hungry and tired firefighters after a day working on the Mt. Hayes wildfire behind Ladysmith. Four of the tired crew, having finished their dinner, are Matt Black from McKenzie, left, and Alex MacPhail, Keaton Grunder and Ben Bouchut all from Fort St. John. (Duck Paterson photo)
Premier John Horgan tours the BC Wildfire Service camp set up in Vernon Thursday, Aug. 26, where firefighters from all over are stationed while battling the White Rock Lake blaze. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

B.C. premier, forests minister, tour White Rock Lake fire near Vernon

John Horgan joins Minister of Forests at firefighters’ camp

Premier John Horgan tours the BC Wildfire Service camp set up in Vernon Thursday, Aug. 26, where firefighters from all over are stationed while battling the White Rock Lake blaze. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
A highway incident on Highway 19A near Black Creek shut down the road in both directions.

One dead after early morning crash near Black Creek

A car collided with a power pole shortly before 3 a.m. on Hwy 19A

A highway incident on Highway 19A near Black Creek shut down the road in both directions.
Saanich Fire Department worked hard to pull a horse from drowning in a mud bog on July 31 in Saanich. (Photo and video courtesy of Saanich Fire Department)

VIDEO: Firefighters rescue frightened horse stuck nose-deep in Vancouver Island mud bog

At the scene were a whole team of firefighters who put their heads together to rescue the filly

Saanich Fire Department worked hard to pull a horse from drowning in a mud bog on July 31 in Saanich. (Photo and video courtesy of Saanich Fire Department)
Firefighter Sue Idle (right) with Pass Creek Fire Department chief Aaron Bebelman. Photo: Submitted

‘It is hard. It is fun’: 55-year-old Castlegar woman becomes firefighter

Sue Idle is one of the newest members of the Pass Creek Fire Department

Firefighter Sue Idle (right) with Pass Creek Fire Department chief Aaron Bebelman. Photo: Submitted
Saanich firefighters rescued a crow Tuesday night after it flew down a chimney and got stuck. (Dan Wood/Twitter)

VIDEO: Saanich firefighters rescue ‘very vocal’ crow from fireplace chimney

Cat rescues somewhat common but crow call a first, says deputy fire chief

Saanich firefighters rescued a crow Tuesday night after it flew down a chimney and got stuck. (Dan Wood/Twitter)
A still image from security camera video recorded June 8 shows an individual lighting trash on fire in the doorway of 19+ Cannabis Store on Victoria Crescent. RCMP and Nanaimo Fire Rescue are investigating numerous fires set in downtown Nanaimo in the past three months. (Photo submitted)

‘It’s out of control’: More than 20 fires set in downtown Nanaimo in past 3 months

Authorities asking business owners to keep dumpsters locked

A still image from security camera video recorded June 8 shows an individual lighting trash on fire in the doorway of 19+ Cannabis Store on Victoria Crescent. RCMP and Nanaimo Fire Rescue are investigating numerous fires set in downtown Nanaimo in the past three months. (Photo submitted)
Neighbours fight a small late-night bush fire with garden hoses and shovels in Cinnabar Valley on June 5. They couldn’t get help from local fire services because the fire was located in an area under B.C. Wildfire Services jurisdiction. (Photo courtesy Muriel Wells)

Neighbours on edge of Nanaimo city limits left to put out bush fire themselves

Cinnabar Valley residents tackle fire with hoses and buckets for two and a half hours

Neighbours fight a small late-night bush fire with garden hoses and shovels in Cinnabar Valley on June 5. They couldn’t get help from local fire services because the fire was located in an area under B.C. Wildfire Services jurisdiction. (Photo courtesy Muriel Wells)
Campers learn auto extrication at past year’s Camp Ignite. Photo supplied by Camp Ignite

‘Camp Ignite’ helps young B.C. women pursue firefighting careers

This year’s camp will be on Aug. 14 and Aug. 15 in Vancouver

Campers learn auto extrication at past year’s Camp Ignite. Photo supplied by Camp Ignite
Nanaimo Fire Rescue and RCMP are investigating six suspicious fires set around the city Tuesday, May 25, including a fire set in a dumpster next to a utility shed at the McDonald’s restaurant on Nicol Street shortly before 5 p.m. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo firefighters and RCMP called to 6 suspicious fires in one day

Fires in dumpsters and wooded areas Tuesday, May 25, under investigation

Nanaimo Fire Rescue and RCMP are investigating six suspicious fires set around the city Tuesday, May 25, including a fire set in a dumpster next to a utility shed at the McDonald’s restaurant on Nicol Street shortly before 5 p.m. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Firefighters and fire investigators from Nanaimo Fire Rescue sift through debris to determine the cause of a blaze that displaced three people and badly damaged a house in Nanaimo early Tuesday, May 4. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Damaging house fire in Nanaimo was sparked by cigarettes

Three people escaped blaze that caused parts of the home’s roof to collapse

Firefighters and fire investigators from Nanaimo Fire Rescue sift through debris to determine the cause of a blaze that displaced three people and badly damaged a house in Nanaimo early Tuesday, May 4. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
A vehicle that was driven through the wall of a parkade at Uptown Shopping Centre and into the nearby Walmart on April 9 was removed through another hole in the wall later that night. (Photo via Saanich Police Department and Ayush Kakkar)

Vehicle launched into B.C. Walmart removed following rescue of trapped workers

Crews cut new hole in parkade wall to remove vehicle safely

A vehicle that was driven through the wall of a parkade at Uptown Shopping Centre and into the nearby Walmart on April 9 was removed through another hole in the wall later that night. (Photo via Saanich Police Department and Ayush Kakkar)
Bean, a small dog, got her head stuck in the reclining mechanism of a couch on Wednesday night. (Facebook/Kamloops Fire Rescue)

Kamloops fire crews free Bean the pup trapped in reclining chair

‘We don’t rescue cats out of trees anymore… but we do occasionally rescue dogs out of reclining couches!’

Bean, a small dog, got her head stuck in the reclining mechanism of a couch on Wednesday night. (Facebook/Kamloops Fire Rescue)
Firefighters from three departments battled a house fire south of Nanaimo for more than nine hours Sunday. (Photo courtesy Martin Leduc)

Home in Cedar destroyed by fire

Firefighters from three fire departments battle blaze fanned by strong winds Sunday

Firefighters from three departments battled a house fire south of Nanaimo for more than nine hours Sunday. (Photo courtesy Martin Leduc)
Members of the Saanich Fire Department can be seen working to put out a fire in the 4500-block of Chattertown Way on Jan. 26. (Saanich Fire/Twitter)

One cat killed, another resuscitated following blaze in Saanich townhouse

Neighbours evacuated following fire on Chatterton Way, third cat still missing

Members of the Saanich Fire Department can be seen working to put out a fire in the 4500-block of Chattertown Way on Jan. 26. (Saanich Fire/Twitter)
Alex Meyer during chemotherapy. (Photo submitted)

Firefighter’s fitness, positive attitude prominent in cancer battle

Meyer keeping the faith heading into stem cell transplant next month

Alex Meyer during chemotherapy. (Photo submitted)
The Saanich Fire Department is calling for residents to be fire smart as they deck the halls for the holidays. (Black Press Media file photo)

Vancouver Island firefighters offer safety tips to avoid holiday fires

Candles, damaged lights, dry trees and smoking can all lead to house fires

The Saanich Fire Department is calling for residents to be fire smart as they deck the halls for the holidays. (Black Press Media file photo)