Fire marshal's office recognizes local volunteers

by Rob Learn

Sep 19, 2007

BURK’S FALLS – Volunteers with the Burk’s Falls and District Fire Department are leading the way in the province with their dedication and education.

The latest evidence of this was on Thursday, Sept. 13 when four of its members were officially certified as firefighters through the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office (OFM) at the department’s board meeting.

Certification through the OFM, which is the same standard as firefighters working full-time in large centres, meant a huge commitment on the part of those taking the training.

More than 500 hours of training over the course of four years went into the course, hours above and beyond the normal rescue practices and other training courses such as CPR.

“It’s a huge commitment and a lot of work for the volunteers taking the course and I’m proud to see so many doing so well,” said fire chief Paul Hunter.

Les Culp, Paul Dunnett, Peter Dunnett and John Leggett are the first firefighters to pass the three exams and job performance tests required for the strict certification program.

Hunter hopes they will soon be joined by many more members of the Burk’s Falls squad who are also enrolled in the course. Of the 21 members of the department, 16 are enrolled, and of those 14 have passed the first exam, seven have passed the second phase and with the latest certifications, five members completed all components of the training.

“I talk to more than 500 firefighters a year and when I tell them what our guys are doing they’re impressed. I know we’re making great strides here,” said Hunter.

Training officer Pat Hayes says it is more than just OFM training that makes the Burk’s Falls volunteers’ commitment impressive.

“Seventeen of 21 Burk’s Falls personnel are now certified with the Canadian Red Cross as First Responders. This represents 81 per cent of our department and includes two chiefs and two dispatchers,” said Hayes to the fire board. “It was a huge commitment on the part of the firefighters who took the course, because they couldn’t miss any part of (the course) over the week we held training on evenings and the weekend.”

First Responder training teaches advanced first aid for such emergencies as defibrillation, spinal immobilization, cardiac care, emergency childbirth and drug administration, and care for medical conditions such as diabetes, stroke and asthma.

Fire board member Cathy Still, who is also reeve of the Village of Burk’s Falls and a full-time paramedic, said she is noticing the difference the volunteers’ commitment to training is making.

“Emergency medical services would be lost without our local firefighters,” said Still. “Quite often they are the first ones on the scene and it’s great to know they have the training they do.”

Hunter says other area departments are taking notice of the Burk’s Falls training programs.

“We’re being approached continuously (by other departments) to see if they can train with us,” said Hunter.

And while Hunter and community members take pride and comfort in their firefighters’ dedication, on the team the training brings a different sort of comfort.

“Knowing that the guys are trained properly and can go into any situation is a big worry taken care of,” said firefighter Leggett.

“You know everybody is working from the same page of the book and that really gives you a lot confidence,” said firefighter Paul Dunnett.

Hunter says other members of the department are on track to complete the OFM certification by next spring.

Asked what the most important reason for the OFM training, the fire chief’s answer is brief: “Safety! I’m serious. Safety is always the number one concern.”