This week on Meet our Members, we chat with Recruit Leif Lefevre, who joined Comox Fire Rescue in October 2021
Was there a specific event or reason for you to be interested in becoming a firefighter?
One night after work I heard a frantic knock on my door. It was my neighbour. Her husband was in cardiac arrest. I began CPR and waited for the first responders to arrive. In next to no time, Comox Fire Rescue arrived. It was clear to me that these members are heros. The next day I filled up my application and sent it in.
What is your regular “Day Job”
For my day job I work as an Apprentice Electrician with DenMar Electric, doing mostly service and large scale projects. Soon I'll be finished my training and I can start my career as a Journeyman.
Tell us a bit about your family.
I was born and raised in Powell River. My mother is a massage therapist and my father was a lighting technician at the Evergreen Theatre. My father passed away when I was very young and my amazing mother had to step up and raise two young boys on her own. I also have an awesome uncle, brother, and grandma that I owe everything too. Last but not least, I have my partner Bria. An amazing women who moved across the world from the Philippines all the way to Canada. She's truly a blessing.
Tell us about your passion in life.
I want to make a difference. When I'm on my death bed looking back I want to feel good about how I affected the world and the people around me. I also love exploring and going off the beaten path. Adventuring in my happy place.
Tell us about the most amazing thing you have experienced so far in life.
One of the most amazing things I've experienced so far was the trip my brother and I took in Mexico. We back packed from the East coast across the country to the California Baja. The people we met and the things we saw will always be some of my most cherished memories.
Do you have any fire service goals? - if so what?
I'm here to build new skills and meet like minded people. On the other hand I have the utmost respect for Comox Fire Rescue and would jump at the opportunity to become a full time Fire Fighter. For now I just want to get out into the community and help in anyway I can.
“Welcome to the team Leif.” says Comox Fire Rescue Chief Gord Schreiner. “We look forward to training and working with you. Stay safe.”
Mike Brown, Leif Lefevre, Katya Luczanko, Matt O’Meara, Orod Farfod, Carson Reddin and Brynn Vandervaate have begun their training for NFPA 1001/2 certification. The training process will include FR3 Medical Responder, Hazmat Operations, Exterior and Interior Firefighting, and much more.
“It takes a great deal of dedication and commitment to become a firefighter, and we thank all our members very much for joining.” states Comox Fire Chief Gord Schreiner.
The recruits have successfully completed their physical testing recently of the “Code 3 Challenge” which includes forcible entry skills, climbing 5 flights of stairs while carrying up a 40 lbs hose bundle, dragging a 165 lbs rescue dummy 100 feet, then deploying a 100 length of hose. All while wearing full turnout gear, in under 5 mins.
Comox Fire Rescue currently has over 48 NFPA 1001/2 trained firefighters and 11 more working towards certification.
“We are very fortunate to be able to provide the certification at Comox Fire Rescue for our members. The Officers and instructors work very hard to provide great training for all our members.” says Schreiner. “It is people like this that makes our organization so strong.”
For more information on joining Comox Fire Rescue, visit the link below:
http://www.comoxfirerescue.org/recruiting
This week on Meet our Members, we chat with Firefighter Joey Moores, who original joined Comox Fire Rescue in 2018.
What made you want to join Comox Fire Rescue?
I joined Comox Fire Rescue after my senior year of high school in 2018. I had done the Youth Camp which takes high school students from around the Comox Valley and shows them some of the skills you learn as a firefighter. After that I knew I wanted to continue learning and working to become a Firefighter. I joined the department and trained to get my NFPA 1001/2 through Comox Fire Rescue. I was able to join the Canadian forces as a Firefighter and ended up getting posted back home to CFB Comox. I'm excited to be back on the Comox Fire Rescue team.
What is your favourite part of being at Comox Fire Rescue?
My favourite part of being a firefighter at CFR is the team environment. I love working together to achieve a common goal and to work and train through different problems and scenarios. Everyone on the team works hard to get the job done. Growing up playing sports I very much enjoy that aspect of it!
What are your hobbies?
My interests outside the fire department are playing sports, hiking, backpacking, fishing and anything outside and in nature. There's many different activities I want to try and learn.
I love living and exploring the valley and the island in general!
What is your Fire Service goal?
Being a member at Comox Fire Rescue has added to my life by meeting new and like minded people that share the same passion for the fire service. Everytime I go to a practice or a call I learn something new and I'm able to implement it into my everyday life.
“Comox Fire Rescue is very fortunate to have Joey posted to CFB Comox” says Fire Chief Gord Schreiner. “It’s members like Joey that make our department so great. Welcome back Joey and we look forward to working and training with you.”
This week on Meet our Members, we chat with Recruit Peter Palme, who joined Comox Fire Rescue in September 2020
What made you want to join Comox?
Comox Fire Rescue gave me the amazing opportunity to pursue my other great passions. I started training with Comox Fire Rescue in September 2020.
What is your favourite part of being at Comox Fire Rescue?
My favourite thing about Comox Fire is the opportunity to help our community. It is very rewarding to be part of such a great team with so many talented and dedicated members.
Tell us about your “Day Job”
I grew up in Clinton BC, my parents owned a campsite where I did a lot of fishing and hiking. I moved to the lower mainland for my post secondary education where I became qualified as a pilot. I then moved up to Yellowknife in order to pursue my career. Aviation brought me all over the world, surveying the rainforest in South America, flying in the high Arctic, Middle East and flying UN humanitarian missions across Africa. After 11 years, I moved back to BC with an amazing supportive wife and 2 great little boys. I spent 2 seasons flying a Convair 580 air tanker dropping retardant on forest fires throughout BC and Alberta, this is how I got a taste for fighting fires. Now, my day job is flying a Boeing 737 for WestJet.
What are your hobbies?
My biggest interest outside of the department is going skiing with my wife and 2 boys at Mount Washington. I also like to surf, paddleboard, fish and hike in the summer.
What is your Fire Service goal?
My goal with the department is to complete the full service fire fighter training and provide many years of service.
“Peter has been a great addition to our team.” says Fire Chief Gord Schreiner. “It takes a lot of time and commitment to become a Firefighter, and we are thankful for you and your family for joining Comox Fire Rescue. Keep up the good work!”
This week on Meet our Members, we chat with Firefighter Cameron McColl, who joined Comox Fire Rescue in 2016
Was there a specific event that first interested you in becoming a firefighter?
I was actually watching a Comox Fire Rescue training session from the comfort of my truck on the road, when I had one of the members come up to me to what I assume would be to ask me to move on but in fact when I rolled down the window he tossed me a challenge coin and said if you like this you should apply... I was in the next day and have never looked back since.
What is your favourite part of being at Comox Fire Rescue?
The Brotherhood / Sisterhood in the department. I had never seen anything like it in my working career and it has shown me the true meaning of team. Working through my 1001/2’s my platoon built not only amazing skills, but friendships that have lasted to this day. The Lieutenants, Captains and Chiefs are always there for us to coach us along the path of leadership.
Tell us about your family.
I am the oldest of two siblings, an uncle to one niece and waiting on my second niece due 2022.
I have a beautiful and smart fiancé, Carla, and two wonderful step children Weston & Hadley who are incredibly passionate about animals and the outdoors. We also have two dogs; Bear and Bunker.
What is your regular “Day Job”
I work at the Rio Tinto T2 project as an Emergency Response Lead and Underground Rescue Specialist. Coming from a Industrial Fire management background, my day to day is to look after my Platoon, on shift training & fire inspections. On site we cover an area reaching from sea level to 2900 feet in less than 20 kms. We have coverage for 1 town and 1 work camp, running all emergency services from Dispatch to Tech Rescues for the area.
What are your hobbies?
I love to get out with my stepson and go fishing any chance we get. I love to explore with the kiddos any of the local caves we can get into. We also camp quite a bit… although camping may not be the proper term as its in a 33' travel trailer.
What are some of your Fire Service goals?
Currently I am working through the Fire Safety Studies Diploma and working towards becoming an Emergency Response Coordinator for Civil works and or Industrial projects. I enjoy volunteering at Comox Fire Rescue in my off time and hope to continue this as a career path.
“Thank you for all your service and dedication to Comox Fire Rescue Cam.” says Fire Chief Gord Schreiner. “Glad to have you on our team, and keep up the great work.”
