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.
Comox Firefighters hosted their annual Christmas Tree recycling project on January 2nd and 3rd with 100% of the proceeds being donated to Y.A.N.A. (You Are Not Alone).
This year over $4000 was donated for the local organization that provides accommodation and funding to Comox Valley families who need to travel outside the community for medical treatment for a child under 19 or for a pregnant mother.
YA.N.A.’s Kelly Rusk states: “The support from these firefighters in Comox has been awesome. They have been with us since our very beginnings and assist us in many fundraising events.”
With amazing support of Precision Tree Services, Christmas trees were dropped off at the fire station and chipped to be then recycled by the parks department in Comox.
Chief Gord Schreiner says: “Projects like these are a WIN/WIN for our community. I am so proud of our firefighters for everything they do. Not only do they respond to emergencies but they assist our community in so many other ways.
Limited edition Comox Fire Rescue Chocolate Bars were also sold. Locally sourced from “Hot Chocolates” the bars were $5 each, with all proceeds also being donated to Y.A.N.A.
“Our Firefighters love giving back to our community.” says Schreiner, “I would also like to thank all those citizens who donated to this great cause.”
Due to COVID this year, donations were able to be accepted by cash, TAP or e-transfer. All PPE and COVID-19 protocols were in place. Comox Firefighters have been hosting this event for over 20 years.
Members also gave away over 100 free smoke alarms. Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries.
Need your Christmas tree taken care of after Christmas? Comox Fire Rescue will be hosting its annual Tree Chipping Event on Jan 2 & 3 between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm on Saturday & Sunday at 1870 Noel Ave. Bring by your used Christmas tree and we'll chip it for you!
This year there will be contactless TAP as well as e-transfer for donations. 100% of proceeds go to local Y.A.N.A.! Citizens will be asked to stay in their vehicles while firefighters wearing appropriate PPE will remove your tree and collect a donation.
Chief Gord Schreiner says: “Projects like these are a WIN/WIN for our community. I am so proud of our firefighters for everything they do. Not only do they respond to emergencies but they assist our community in so many other ways.
Last year more than $4500 was raised and donated to Comox Valley Y.A.N.A
For 2020 a new addition to the fundraising campaign will be limited edition Comox Fire Rescue Chocolate Bars. Local sourced from “Hot Chocolates”, these fundraising chocolate bars are offered in milk or dark chocolate. The chocolate bars will be $5 each, with all proceeds also being donated to Y.A.N.A
YANA’s Kelly Rusk states: “The support from these firefighters in Comox has been awesome. They have been with us since our very beginnings and assist us in many fundraising events.”
“Our Firefighters love giving back to our community.” says Schreiner, “I would also like to thank all those citizens who donate to this great cause.”
If you are unable to bring your tree to us, give us a call at 250-339-2432 to arrange a pick up on Jan 2nd or 3rd.
Comox Fire Rescue recently held its annual awards night, virtually, for 2020 due to the current COVID restrictions.
The Department continued its tradition of recognizing members for various contributions to the fire department.
Captain Corey Brooks was recognized for his 25 years of service to the fire department and community. Lieutenant Sandy Pridmore was recognized for his 25 years also of service.
Delaney Carr was named Rookie of the Year, while Firefighter Luke Schram was awarded the Firefighter of the Year.
Firefighter Stefan Scott received the Stewart Rennie Memorial Award titled, “I Made a Difference.”
Firefighter Ramon Ramirez received the Kevin Kimler Memorial Award titled, “Above and Beyond.”
Luke Schram
Delaney Carr
Stefan Scott
Ramon Ramirez
“I am so proud of all of our members,” said Comox Fire Chief Gord Schreiner. “It takes a very special person to volunteer for anything, let alone to be a firefighter and an even better person to serve for many, many years. We are very demanding of our firefighters and expect a very high level of training and effectiveness from them. We are very fortunate, here in Comox, to have such a great group of firefighters assisting our community in so many ways.
Captain Corey Brooks
Lieutenant Sandy Pridmore
Our firefighters are our most important asset. Combined our three chief officers have over 100 years of service. We are a successful organization because of all the great people we have within the organization.”
Comox Fire Rescue has six full-time and 50 highly trained part-time members. They provide most of the services typical of a larger fire department and responded to about 700 emergency incidents a year.
St. Peters Anglican Church in Comox has collaborated with the Comox Firefighters Association to add yet another automatic external defibrillator (AED) in Comox.
This one will be located at 218 Church Street, Comox (Corker Hall).
This wonderful group sees the value of having this important piece of equipment available to their members.
Chief Gord Schreiner states: “It is great to see organizations like this assisting us in our efforts to have AEDs available all over Comox. I am also very proud of our firefighters for their support of this important project. We now have almost fifty AEDs located in Comox.”
Schreiner’s long term goal is to have an AED available in almost every business and public building in Comox. Public access AEDS are very simple to use, maintain and can save lives!
A public access AED costs approximately $2000.00. The Comox firefighters have been co-sponsoring the AEDS with local Comox groups and businesses who agree to donate half of this amount ($1000.00). The Comox firefighters cover the remaining cost. They also provide both CPR and AED training to the businesses staff.
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) can strike at any time—during work, while at church, or while visiting your local business. Fewer than 10% of SCA victims typically survive, but studies show that 30% to 50% would likely survive if CPR and AEDs were used within five minutes of collapse. Communities across the country are responding by implementing Public Access Defibrillation programs. Public Access Defibrillation programs include both access to AEDS and training.
Comox Fire Rescue knows the value of AEDs as they carry AEDs on all of their emergency vehicles and also have one mounted in their fire station.
Please contact Comox Fire Rescue at firehall@comox.ca for further info
