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.
Cody joined Comox Fire Rescue in January of 2021, and was a dedicated member of the team during his time with the department.
“My favourite part about being at Comox Fire Rescue are the amazing individuals within the team I was very fortunate enough to train with and spend time with.” states Cody.
Due to family and life changes, he will be relocating to the Lower Mainland.
“Being a firefighter is very hard work. Cody brought skills and experience to our department which we were very thankful for.” say Fire Chief Gord Schreiner. “We wish you all the best in your future Cody, stay safe.”
Pictured Left to Right; Comox Fire Rescue Captains Pascal Lafreniere, Brooks, Firefighter Sojka, Assistant Chief Rich Shelton presenting Sojka his black helmet.
Comox Firefighters hosted their annual Christmas Tree recycling project on January 8th and 9th with 100% of the proceeds being donated to Y.A.N.A. (You Are Not Alone).
This year over $3700 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.
With amazing support of Precision Tree Service and over 35 Firefighters from Comox Fire Rescue, members of the community were able to drop off their Christmas trees or have them pickup.
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.
“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-19, 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 dozens of free smoke alarms. Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries.
This week on Meet our Members, we chat with Recruit Katya Luczanko, who joined Comox Fire Rescue in October 2021
Was there a specific event or reason for you to be interested in becoming a firefighter?
I applied to Comox Fire Rescue after I responded to a car crash outside of my workplace in the spring of 2020. The driver had fallen asleep at the wheel and his car had driven into a utility pole on the old Island highway. I was the first person on scene with first aid training, and after getting the clear from a BC Hydro worker that the power to the power lines touching the ground were shut off, I entered the car and began giving first aid to the driver. Shortly afterwards, a member of the Union Bay Fire Department came on scene and entered the back of the vehicle. We worked together on our primary and secondary surveys while we waited for an ambulance to arrive. After handing off to the paramedics, I was approached by the firefighter, who encouraged me to join the fire department due to my training and capability to respond to an accident.
Tell us about your family?
I live with my Father, a retired Chief Warrant Officer, in Comox. My mom passed away from cancer in 2020, but was an exemplary nurse for over two decades. We all believe that the Comox Valley is the best place to live.
What is your regular “Day Job”
My regular day job is working as a pharmacy assistant, and I am working towards being a licensed Pharmacy Technician.
Tell us about your passion in life.
I am passionate about local flora and fauna, and regularly spend weekends finding, identifying, and educating myself and others about wild plants and animals.
Tell us about the most amazing thing you have experienced so far in life.
The most amazing thing I have experienced in life was hiking in Greece to a five thousand year old monestary build into the side of the cliff at the top of a mountain!
Do you have any fire service goals?
I strive to aide with fighting the summer forest fires for the Province with Comox Fire Rescue!
“Thank you for joining our team Katya.” says Comox Fire Rescue Chief Gord Schreiner. “We look forward to training and working with you. Good luck on your Fire Service career.”
Comox Fire Rescue Lieutenant Elsa Gilroy, had a critical role helping #RCAF 442 Transport and Rescue Sqn rescue 311 people, 26 dogs and a cat after they were trapped by landslides during the floods in British Columbia.
“We are very proud of LT Elsa Gilroy for all her help and assistance with 442 Sqn during the devastating floods and landslides in the Lower Mainland, as well as her work with Comox Fire Rescue.” says Comox Fire Rescue Chief Gord Schreiner. “Our hearts go out to all effected by these major disasters in our province.”
This week on Meet our Members, we chat with Firefighter Andrew Caldwell, who joined Comox Fire Rescue in October 2021
Was there a specific event or reason for you to be interested in becoming a firefighter?
The idea of being a firefighter was suggested to me by a family friend in 1999, and a light went off for me. I knew in that moment that all my work experience up to that point had lead me right to the fire department.
Tell us a bit about your family.
I’m married to my beautiful wife Megan and have two boys, 7 and 16. We moved to Comox from Surrey in August of this year.
What is your regular “Day Job”
On my regular days for work, I’m a firefighter for the Vancouver International Airport. I have been a firefighter at YVR since 2003.
Tell us about your passion in life.
My passion is my family, everything is for them. I do enjoy fishing, hunting, hiking and riding bikes with the family. Maybe this will be the year we get back into skiing.
Tell us about the most amazing thing you have experienced so far in life.
Getting to travel through Northern Italy for a few weeks with my wife was pretty spectacular. However, the birth of my son and building a beautiful family with my wife is the most amazing thing I have experienced in life so far.
Do you have any fire service goals?
The opportunity to serving in such a wonderful community like Comox is a success. I hope to continue learning and developing my skills in order to provide the best care possible to those in need. I don’t know what the future will hold but I’m excited for whatever comes next. Thank you for having me Comox Fire Rescue.
Andrew brings many years of service and training to our Department.” says Comox Fire Rescue Chief Gord Schreiner. “Thank you for joining our team Andrew. We look forward to training and working with you.”
