Comox Fire Rescue provides a variety of preventive and emergency services to a population of over 18,000 in an area of 16 square miles. This includes the Town of Comox, the Comox Fire Protection Improvement District, the Bates Huband Local Service Area (Regional District of Comox-Strathcona), and the Comox Indian Band. They also operate the Comox Fire Training Centre, which trains firefighters from all over Vancouver Island, and even parts of BC and the rest of Canada. The training centre is certified by the JIBC.
This week on Meet our Members, we interview Richard Quinn!
CFR: Could you provide a brief background of your fire service career?
My background with the fire service is limited at this point. I applied and was accepted as a new recruit with Comox Fire Rescue, during their recruitment drive, fall of 2015. I have a very diverse background in farming, medical laboratory technology and holistic medicine, giving me a wide set of skills and experiences to draw from and offer. I hope to continue working, learning and honing my skills within this exciting and rewarding profession.
CFR: Was there any specific event that first interested you in becoming a fire fighter?
There was no specific event that prompted me to actively pursue becoming a fire fighter and first responder. It was more an accumulation of desire to serve my community and help others, my drive for challenges and adventure, and an opportunity combined with the time to dedicate to this important career and its ongoing training. My brother, (Andy Quinn)who is currently an active member of Courtenay Fire department, has long regaled me with stories of the many challenges and rewards of being a fire fighter. I knew what I was in for when I joined Comox Fire Rescue, and feel privileged to have the opportunity to serve.
CFR: What is your favourite part of volunteering for Comox Fire Rescue (or working in the valley in general)?
There are so many positive things I can say about this organization. First and foremost would be its members. Their level of professionalism, integrity and dedication is truly outstanding and very contagious. I have felt welcomed and valued from the moment I was accepted as a recruit. The amount of knowledge and experience at this station is humbling but they always find the time and patience to answer questions, offer encouragement, and pass along their lifetime of fire/rescue skills and knowledge. I have made many new amazing friends here. It truly feels like an extended family.
CFR: Outside of the fire department, what are your interests/hobbies?
My passions and hobbies mostly involve enjoying and exploring the many outdoor gifts the Island life has to offer. Snowboarding, mountain biking, paddle boarding, trail running, mountain climbing and kayaking, all help feed my need for adventure and adrenaline. My home life is shared with my lovely girlfriend Heather, where we enjoy gardening and quiet moments together. Travel has always been something we both enjoy. Outside of Comox Fire Rescue, I am employed as a Medical Laboratory Technologist at St. Joseph’s General Hospital.
CFR: What are some major changes you have seen in the fire service industry during your career?
I can’t speak extensively on these questions as my experience with the fire service is relatively new. What I have learned is how dynamic and changing the fire environment is. From changes in building construction materials and techniques to the increased use of plastics and petroleum based materials in indoor furnishings, fires now burns faster, hotter and far more unpredictably than the past. The same can be said about the changing size, intensity and unpredictability of wild fires as witnessed by the recent Fort MacMurray fires.
CFR: If you could change one thing about the fire service, what would it be?
The need for the highest levels of training standards and on-going education is an essential for fire fighter safety and effective protection of the public and property. I am blessed to be stationed at such an outstanding training facility. The ongoing education of the public on fire safety and prevention is also incredibly important work.
Chief Schreiner states: Richard has been a very good addition to our team. His commitment and dedication has been outstanding. He is very quickly and successfully working his way toward full certification to the National Fire Protection Association, firefighter standard, NFPA 1001/2. Thanks for being on our team Richard!
Today on Meet our Members, we interview Chris Gytenbeek!
CFR: Could you provide a brief background of your fire service career?
2004-2007 paid on call fire fighter with Langley City Fire Rescue, 2007 - present Comox Fire Rescue. as a paid on call firefighter.
Was there any specific event that first interested you in becoming a fire fighter?
Connecting with community, being able to help in time of crisis, generally really enjoy the whole package of being part of a family/team doing exciting work that makes a big difference in peoples lives.
What is your favorite part of volunteering for Comox Fire Rescue (or working in the valley in general)?
Working with a group of experts in knowing that we are delivering a great service to Comox. Comox is a great place to live, play and work.
Outside of the fire department, what are your interests/hobbies?
Most anything outdoors. Running, biking, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, skiing, skateboarding, and ice hockey. Spending time with family and friends doing any of these things. Living life realizing its short and the most important things are God, family and making a difference in those lives that your paths cross, learning from others and what they know.
What are some major changes you have seen in the fire service industry during your career?
Safer ways of doing our jobs, realizing that taking high risks to save a building isn't worth your life. Better tactics that are more effective and safer with ventilation, communications and gear.
If you could change one thing about the fire service, what would it be?
Better working relations with other first responders, paramedics, other fire halls.
Chief Schreiner states: Chris is an important part of our team. He has experience in another department before his time here and his many skills and talents have been a great asset to us. Chris is also a great role model for our younger firefighters.
This week on Meet our Members, Lieutenant Brent Craven!
CFR: Could you provide a brief background of your fire service career?
I applied to Comox Fire in the Summer of 2015, after a news story in the local paper looking for new volunteers. I have come in to the fire service with an open mind and slate. I have a large construction background as my dad is a carpenter, so other than power tools and hard work, I am very new to the fire service.
CFR: Was there any specific event that first interested you in becoming a fire fighter?
After spending 18 years in Vancouver in the Television Industry, I was looking for a way to get more involved in my community that I grew up in, and now live in again. I have always loved to be involved and help people in anyway I can. This opportunity to be a member of Comox Fire Rescue is above and beyond anything I could have ever dreamed of being a part of, and I’m loving every moment of it.
CFR: What is your favourite part of volunteering for Comox Fire Rescue (or working in the valley in general)?
The members of Comox Fire Rescue are truly amazing. From the Chief to the Recruits, everyone is friendly, helpful, inclusive and supportive. Since joining, I now have some of the most amazing new friends.. “family” is probably the better term to call them.
CFR: Outside of the fire department, what are your interests/hobbies?
My wife Kim of 20 years and I love to travel as much as we can. Day trips around the Island, or when possible to somewhere hot like Mexico. My ‘day’ job is lots of computer time and camera work, so anything outside is great. I’m a bit of a geek also and love taking pictures, especially of our dog Gordie.
CFR: What are some major changes you have seen in the fire service industry during your career?
For me, this is all new! I’m loving learning new things everyday. I can’t wait to see where this takes me in the future.
CFR: If you could change one thing about the fire service, what would it be?
That everyone has working smoke detectors.
Chief Schreiner states "Brent has been a great addition to our team. His existing skills coupled with the new firefighting skills he is learning here make him a very valuable asset."
Thank you, Brent, for your enthusiasm and energy! We hope you have many great years of service ahead.
This week on Meet our Members, we interview Colin Hanes!
CFR: Could you provide a brief background of your fire service career?
All I wanted to do was drop off a Christmas tree! Almost 4 years ago I brought my Christmas tree to the hall to get chipped, after a brief tour of the hall and chat with Capt. Stevens I walked home with an application and thought in 8 months maybe I'll get a call to come out. A week later I had an interview with the Chiefs, 2 weeks later I was at my first practice, a year and a half later I passed my NFPA and got my black helmet. Since then its been none stop training, learning, and giving back to the community.
CFR: Was there any specific event that first interested you in becoming a fire fighter?
Nothing specific, but deep down I'm still a kid at heart and love playing with toys...and we've got some big toys to play with! At the same time, when I moved to Comox I wanted to join a group or organization to volunteer my time with. After checking out the coast guard and search and rescue, I found my home with Comox Fire.
CFR: What is your favorite part of volunteering for Comox Fire Rescue (or working in the valley in general)?
Great team, great facility, and a great community I'm proud to donate my time and effort to. As a relative newcomer in the Comox Valley, the team at Comox Fire Rescue have become my extended family!
CFR: Outside of the fire department, what are your interests/hobbies?
Professional - Real Estate. As a REALTOR (www.ColinHanes.ca), selling homes in the Comox Valley is a dream...where else would you want to live! Personal - Snowboarding, hiking, squash, ultimate frisbee, spending time with my wife and twin girls.
CFR: What are some major changes you have seen in the fire service industry during your career?
In my short career, the advancements in technology have been amazing. From the addition of iPads and paperless forms in the hall to the use of apps like Active911.
CFR: If you could change one thing about the fire service, what would it be?
Speed of response. While our response time is still quite good, I think that time impacts everything we do and the longer it takes to get to the scene the greater the risks to everyone involved. Whether responding to a car accident, medical emergency, or a fire call, if we can improve response time we can improve our chances of a positive outcome. And this is more of a constant evolution then a change which we're seeing with improved technology through apps like Active911, and I'm sure we'll see in the future with advance smoke alarms in homes.
Thank you, Colin, for your dedication and enthusiasm!
This week on Meet our Members, we interview Pascal Lafreniere!
Pascal Lafreniere receiving his Lieutenant shoulder flashes.
CFR: Could you provide a brief background of your fire service career?
I've been with Comox Fire Rescue for 7 years now. Previous to that I had no fire service experience. I was promoted to Lieutenant in 2014 and am currently finishing up my Fire Officer lv. 1 course.
CFR: Was there any specific event that first interested you in becoming a fire fighter?
Nothing in particular, but firefighting checked all the boxes of my ideal career!
CFR: What is your favourite part of volunteering for Comox Fire Rescue (or working in the valley in general)?
My favourite part of volunteering at CFR is the amount of opportunites given to us to grow and learn as firefighters and the opportunity to share knowledge and experience with other firefighters.
CFR: Outside of the fire department, what are your interests/hobbies?
I enjoy spending time outdoors, usually doing activites such as mountain biking, snowboarding (when there's actually snow on Mt. Washington), quadding in the back-country, and generally exploring Vancouver Island.
CFR: What are some major changes you have seen in the fire service industry during your career?
The amount of options for aquiring training. You can get textbooks, ebooks, online training... The amount of ways to get training has significantly increased since I started.
Thank you, Pascal, for your years of dedication and leadership especially in your new role training recruits!
