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.”
This week on Meet our Members, we chat with Recruit Mike Brown, 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 love this town and I see Comox Fire Rescue as a great way to give back to the community. I want to help people, and I enjoy challenging myself physically and mentally. I have seen the crew here in action and I feel lucky to be welcomed into such a solid organization.
Tell us a bit about your family.
I am blessed with a wonderful wife (Michelle) and two children. Our daughter (Audrey) is 9 and son (Casey) is 6. I have two older brothers and my parents live here in the Comox Valley. Oh and I can't forget my 4-legged buddy, Ky.
What is your regular “Day Job”
I work for the Town of Comox in the Public Works Department. I am part of a crew that looks after the town infrastructure (water, sewer, roads).
Tell us about your passion in life.
My passion in life is life itself. Every day is a gift. I have a thirst for knowledge and learning new things, ranging from history to technical skills.
Tell us about the most amazing thing you have experienced so far in life.
I was fortunate to work in the outdoor recreation industry for a number of years, leading high school groups on wilderness trips as well as working for sea kayak touring companies. These experiences took me to some spectacular parts of the BC coast and mountains. I rounded these years off by riding my bike from Qualicum Beach to Mexico. Then it was time for the most amazing experience of all... having kids! Never a dull moment...!
Do you have any fire service goals? - if so what?
I am focussed on successfully completing the first responder training with my teammates, then the NFPA 1001/2 certification. Looking forward to being able to contribute.
Thank you for joining our Team Mike.” says Comox Fire Rescue Chief Gord Schreiner. “We look forward to training and working more with you.”
Firefighter Katie Braaten had her final practice with Comox Fire Rescue this past Tuesday. Braaten joined Comox Fire Rescue in 2019 and completed her NFPA 1001/2 with the department.
In addition to regular firefighting with Comox, Braaten was also a member of the SPU (Structural Protection Unit) that deployed to the July Mountain Fire this past summer near Merritt. The team she worked with for 10 days helped protect many structural targets, and was a big part of the team.
“It takes a great deal of practice and training, as well as studying to become a firefighter. We thank Katie very much for being a part of our team, and wish her success in her future.” says Fire Chief Gord Schreiner.
Good luck Katie!
