Meet our Members - Adam Elcombe

This week on Meet our Members, we chat with Firefighter Adam Elcombe, who joined Comox Fire Rescue in May of 2021.

Was there a specific event that first interested you in becoming a firefighter?

Ever since I was a young kid, it has been a dream of mine to work in the Fire Service and become Firefighter. After achieving my NFPA 1001/2 certification through the Justice Institute of British Columbia in Maple Ridge, I was accepted with Comox Fire Rescue and recently moved out here to start my journey with Comox.

What is your favourite part of being at Comox Fire Rescue?

My favorite part of Comox Fire Rescue is how welcoming and enthusiastic my fellow members have been as well as the excellent training and facilities available.

Tell us about your family.

I have an older sister named Cayley as well as two great parents, Susan and Kelly. They reside on the mainland along with my 11 year old dog named Gabi.

What is your regular “Day Job”

Prior to moving to Comox, I was a lifeguard and swim instructor for the District of North Vancouver. I have also been involved in basketball coaching for the past 7 years. My plans out here are to continue lifeguarding and swim instructing in the local aquatic facilities.

What are your hobbies?

Outside the Department, my hobbies are playing basketball and going to the gym. Aside from that, I enjoy casual hikes and finding great new restaurants/ food spots. Also, being from Winnipeg originally, I am an avid Winnipeg Jets fan and rarely miss a game.

What are some of your Fire Service goals?

My goals with Comox Fire Rescue are to play a bigger part in helping the community while also gaining experience working within the fire service.

“Thank you Adam for joining Comox Fire Rescue.” says Fire Chief Gord Schreiner. “Adam brings a great deal of dedication to our team here and we look forward to training and working with you more. Keep up the hard work!”

Meet our Members - Ryan Chittle

This week on Meet our Members, we chat with Firefighter Ryan Chittle, who joined Comox Fire Rescue in May of 2021.

Was there a specific event that first interested you in becoming a firefighter?

Unfortunately there was no specific event that made be want to become a fire fighter, in fact I wish there was. I wish I would have thought about becoming a firefighter earlier in my life as I love the “ team” aspect and the “fire family" that comes with it. Originally I wanted to join the fire service in 2010 but found out shortly after an info session that my wife was pregnant. I then decided to join Squamish Fire Rescue in 2017 once I had more time and could commit myself 100% and was brought on in the 2018 recruit program. Before leaving Squamish Fire I was a Driver/ Operator and an Acting LT for my company.

What is your favourite part of being at Comox Fire Rescue?

I am thrilled to be part of such a progressive, innovative, and dynamic organization. I am also excited to continue my fire career with such an amazing group of people. I have only been at the hall a few times now and the warm welcome, and conversations I have had with people reaching out and asking if I need anything is exactly why I want to be in this organization. I am new to the Comox Valley and I love everything it has to offer from the ocean, mountains, as well as the outdoor recreation. I am looking forward to my first summer!

Tell us about your family.

My wife Erin and I have been married for 10 years this December. We have a 9 year old daughter Sadie they are my biggest supporters. We also have 2 dogs who are both rescue pups. Emma ( a dachshund mix) and Zero ( a mini Dachshund). My family is from Ontario and my wife’s family is from California so it’s just us in Comox Valley.

What is your regular “Day Job”

I work for the Village of Cumberland as a truck driver/ ticketed labourer. My career previously to us moving out here was a Water Operator for the District of Squamish where I was the Chief Operator of the Water Distribution system.

“Ryan brings a great deal of experience and dedication to our department.” says Fire Chief Gord Schreiner. “Thank you for joining Comox Fire Rescue, and we look forward to working and training with you Ryan.”

Meet our Members - Pelle Campbell

This week on Meet our Members, we chat with Recruit Pelle Campbell, who joined Comox Fire Rescue in 2020.

Could you provide a brief background of your fire service career?

My fire service career started with recruit training at Comox Fire Rescue! I have been training in the recruit class since summer 2020. We are currently moving through our Exterior Fire program and have had the opportunity to respond to the hall already in a limited capacity. I'm looking forward to being able to add much more in the future!

Was there any specific event that first interested you in becoming a firefighter?

I definitely can't say there was a specific event that led me to become a firefighter. It was more about what I thought I would be able to get out of it, as well as put into it. I thrive in a professional, evolving, and challenging environment. I saw the fire service as a place where I could really develop personally where my personal skills could have a positive impact.

Outside of the fire department, what are your interests or hobbies?

Where to begin! In the Spring, Summer, and Fall I camp, hike, mountain bike, and climb. In the winter you'll find me ski touring or mountaineering. I read big long fantasy books and play video games. I've started to develop a green thumb in the last couple of years. I love the work that I put into my backyard and the lessons in patience and stewardship it teaches.

How has being a member of Comox Fire added to your life?

It's given me the chance to grow as an individual, feel a part of a team that has each other's backs, and the fulfillment I get from knowing I have a positive impact in my community.

“Thank you Pelle for joining Comox Fire Rescue.” says Fire Chief Gord Schreiner. “Becoming a firefighter takes a huge commitment of studying, practice and training. It’s members like Pelle that make our team so great. Keep up the hard work Pelle!

MARS joins Comox Fire Rescue AED program!

Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society (MARS) has collaborated with the Comox Firefighters Association to add yet another automatic external defibrillator (AED) in the Comox Valley.

This one will be located at the MARS facilities located at 1331 William Beach Road, Black Creek.

This wonderful group sees the value of having this important piece of equipment available to their volunteers, staff and guests.

Photo: Lt. Sandy Pridmore, MARS Darlene Banerd, MARS, Warren Warttig and Captain Rob Stevens

Chief Gord Schreiner states: “It is great to see organizations like this assisting us in our efforts to get more public access AEDs available. I am also very proud of our firefighters for their on-going support of this important project. We have now partnered with various groups to get more than fifty AEDS placed and our firefighters have invested over $60,000.00 of non tax dollars in this important project over the past ten years.

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. The Comox Firefighters Association receives many request each year and assesses each request to determine which ones they can assist.

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 if you have any questions.

Meet our Members - Cody Sojka

This week on Meet our Members, we chat with Firefighter Cody Sojka, who joined Comox Fire Rescue at the start of 2021.

Was there any specific event that first interested you in becoming a firefighter?

I would say the one specific event that first interested me in becoming a fire fighter was hearing my Father's passion for his career when I was a young child, and still to this day. Growing up in a fire fighters family, I was fortunate enough to hear first hand how much my Father not only loved his job, but what it meant and took to be a fire fighter. Spending time with him at the stations, and with other members of the Fire Service at various functions really showed me the many great people and experiences that came along with it. Becoming a fire fighter has always been the only calling I could see for myself, and now residing in Comox, I could not think of a better way to give back to such a wonderful community that I enjoy so much.

What is your favourite part of volunteering for Comox Fire Rescue?

My favourite part about being at Comox Fire Rescue are the amazing individuals within the team I am very fortunate enough to train with and spend time with. The camaraderie and team environment is something I hold very close, and everyone is always more than willing to help one another - there is a great mutual respect and understanding. The training is very detailed and in-depth, and I am grateful for the never ending access to equipment and fitness training at my disposal at any given moment in the week. In addition, the Comox Valley is simply an amazing place to call home!

Outside of the fire department, what are your interests/hobbies?

Outside of the fire department, I am an avid freshwater and saltwater angler, and avid hiker. I recently got back into snowboarding and mountain biking, and living in the Valley is the perfect place for all of the above!

Do you have family/children/pets?

My immediate family resides in the Lower Mainland; Mom, Dad, and two younger sisters. I do not have any family, children, or pets of my own, but would love all of those things one day!

What is your regular "Day Job"?

In my regular day job I work as a Forest Engineer designing and laying out pre-harvest forest operations of a forest cutblock. Essentially, I am often designing roads, taking stream measurements for prescribing culvert sizes, assessing large cultural trees and other archaeological identifiers, and hanging falling boundary for fallers.

If you could change one thing about the fire service or fire safety, what would it be?

If I could change one thing about the fire service or fire safety, it would be the affects of PTSD for all involved. Understanding that the fire service has taken great strides and been very progressive with the importance of mental health, I think like many things in life, there are always improvements to make. With that being said, I am incredibly happy to see how mental health is being managed, and I strongly believe it will only get better with the great tools and research available. My door and ears are always open!

“Cody brings a great background to Comox Fire Rescue.” says Fire Chief Gord Schreiner. “We look forward to working and training with you Cody. Thanks for joining our team.”