Meet our Members: Recruit Todd Fyfe

This week on "Meet our Members", we interview new Recruit Todd Fyfe.

Was there a specific event or reason for you to be interested in becoming a firefighter with Comox Fire Rescue?

Community service, team work and and my attraction to emergence response are the key reasons for joining at Comox Fire Rescue. I love the training, leadership and growth opportunities.

Tell us a bit about your family.

We are a busy family of four with dogs, 2 adult children and busy careers. Susan and I moved to Comox from Fernie as part of our promise to each other to stop shovelling as much snow.

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What is your regular “Day Job?

I work as a Realtor in the Comox Valley. I’m really comfortable educating people on the opportunities that Real Estate can provide for them. 

Tell us about your passion in life.

Family, travelling, dogs, camping, bikes (with and without motors), hiking and puttering around our property. I like to be busy. 

Tell us about the most amazing thing you have experienced so far in life.

The birth of both my children. It was truly life altering. 

Do you have any fire service goals? - if so what? 

I’m thrilled to be part of a great team with an outstanding Fire Department in Comox, where we want to remain a part of for a long time. 

“Thank you very much for joining Comox Fire Rescue Todd.” says Comox Fire Rescue Chief, Gord Schreiner.  “We look forward to training and working with you.”

Meet our Members: Firefighter Gino Tang

This week on "Meet our Members", we interview Firefighter Gino Tang.

Was there a specific event or reason for you to be interested in becoming a firefighter?

I was working in marketing and kept feeling like I had more to offer to the world. I happened to watch the movie “Only The Brave” and instantly knew what I wanted to do!

Tell us a bit about your family

I am the oldest of 3 in my family, I have a younger sister and brother who both live in Calgary. I now live in Comox with my girlfriend, Linley, and our two cats Kitten and Nyla.

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What is your regular “Day Job”

I work as a firefighter at CFB Comox.

Tell us about your passion in life.

In my time off from firefighting, I like to go mountain biking, skiing, and camping in my van!

Tell us about the most amazing thing you have experienced so far in life.

I would say good friendships! I have met so many amazing people who are always willing to lend a hand and have your back. I believe these relationships are invaluable and love all of the amazing things I get to do with friends.

Do you have any fire service goals?

I would like to continue to expand my skill set and learn as much as I can in order to protect my community to the best of my ability.

“Thank you for joining our team Gino.” says Comox Fire Rescue Chief Gord Schreiner. "Great people make for a great organization, and we look forward to working and training with you Gino."

Meet our Members: WEP Firefighter Jonny Podolski

This week on "Meet our Members", we interview Work Experience Firefighter Jonny Podolski.

Jonnny will be at Comox Fire Rescue for approximately 100 days working 40 hours a week as a voluntary position gaining valuable experience in the department's Work Experience Program (WEP).

WEP members live at the firehall during their stay allowing them to gain experience responding to calls as well as training.

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Was there a specific even that first interested you in becoming a fire fighter?

My best friends father was a Captain with the City of Vancouver. I always admired who he was as a person and the way he carried himself. The respect he earned was something special to me.

Tell us about your family.

I'm the youngest of 4 with having 2 older sisters and a brother. My parents came from Poland and happened to reside in Vancouver. I'm also a proud of uncle of 4 nephews and a niece.

What is your regular “Day Job”?

I work for the City of Burnaby. I deal with utilities and have experience in both water and wastewater.

Tell us about the most amazing thing you have experienced so far in life.

I've had many amazing experiences in my life but the experience of being a uncle would top them off.

Do you have any fire service goals?

I would love to become a career firefighter. I've been fortunate and I am proud to be apart of Comox Fire Rescue, as it has been the best decision in my life so far.

“We are very excited to have Jonny join our Work Experience Program.” says Comox Fire Rescue's Chief Gord Schreiner. “He will be living at the fire station for up to 100 days. This will allow him to gain a great deal of experience. “

Comox Fire has had several firefighters over the last years, with many moving on to full time fire fighting careers. The WEPs receive NO pay, but they are provided a bedroom in the fire station.

Thanks for joining our team Jonny!

Meet our Members: Firefighter Bob Mitchell

This week on "Meet our Members", we interview Firefighter Bob Mitchell.

Was there a specific event or reason for you to be interested in becoming a firefighter?

My grandfather and uncle were volunteer firefighters in my hometown of Twillingate in Newfoundland. When I was a kid I spent a lot of time around the fire station so I guess it grew on me.

Tell us a bit about your family

I have been married to my beautiful wife Renee for 17 years and we have two sons. Hayden is 16 and Jackson is 14.

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What is your regular “Day Job”

I am a member of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Tell us about your passion in life.

I like to think that I have a passion for helping people, which is why I enjoy being a volunteer firefighter.

Tell us about the most amazing thing you have experienced so far in life.

The birth of my children has to be the most amazing thing I have ever experienced. I don’t think anything is going to top that.

Do you have any fire service goals?

I want to become a driver and pump operator.

“Thank you for joining Comox.” says Comox Fire Rescue Chief Gord Schreiner.

"Bob brings many years of firefighting experice from several departments." states Schreiner. "We look forward to working and training with you Bob."

Meet our Members: Firefighter Chris Rehor

This week on "Meet our Members", we interview Firefighter Chris Rehor

Was there a specific event or reason for you to be interested in becoming a firefighter?

The first was spending years training and testing firefighters in different capacities, eventually I realised I wanted to be doing what these people were doing. I find firefighting a fantastic mix of physical and mental challenges and I love the team environment that comes with it.

The second is my grandfather Jack Robertson was the Chief in Cumberland for many years, when I was young I loved listening to his stories and jokes. To this day he is one of my favorite people, (don't tell him that though) Chief Robertson (Jack) celebrated his 94th birthday a few weeks ago.

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Tell us a bit about your family

I am married with three young boys (aged four, two and four months). It is absolute pandemonium at times but I could not imagine it any other way. My parents, grandparents and sister are all currently in the Comox Valley.

What is your regular “Day Job”

I'm a "Reconditioning Specialist" for the Canadian Armed Forces (Civilian). I spend most of my day in the gym working with members recovering from a variety of injuries.

Tell us about your passion in life.

In my earlier years I was heavily into team sports (soccer and rugby) as well as individual outdoor pursuits (rock climbing, skiing, XC skiing, cycling). I went to school for Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology and have worked in the exercise industry for 15 years. Today my passion is for my family, for learning the trade of firefighting and for riding lots of different kinds of bicycles.

Tell us about the most amazing thing you have experienced so far in life.

I know it's a gimme answer but the birth of my children trumps all cards.

Do you have any fire service goals?

I decided three years ago that I would make an attempt at becoming a full time career firefighter so that is my final goal. Until then my goal is to learn as much as I can from my trainers and peers and to assist my community as much as possible as a POC member.

“Thank you for joining our team Chris.” says Comox Fire Rescue Chief Gord Schreiner.

"Chris brings a great background in health and fitness and we look forward to training and working with you." states Schreiner. "Best of luck on your fire service career."