Don’t let fire happen to you

NOT YOU, WE HOPE: Top, a structure fire has reduced this house to ash. Photo above courtesy of the Powell River Fire Department.

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK OCTOBER 9 TO 15

Powell River Fire Department: By the numbers

Number of calls in 2021:

1,009

Number of fires in 2021:

We are an all-hazard department which means we respond to a variety of different kinds of emergencies: 47 fires (includes beach/bush/garbage/chimney/hydro fires/motor vehicle & structure fires – but not alarms), 46 motor vehicle accidents, 15 natural gas/hazardous materials/fuel, and 7 rescues.

Number of classes educated 2021:

When COVID restrictions lifted we were proud to present Fire Safety House to Grade 3 students. The event teaches kids how to safely exit a home in the event of a fire. We hosted about 200 students.

The biggest fire the department encountered since the last fire prevention day:

A basement fire in a home in upper Westview likely caused by an electrical fault. Upon arrival, fire crews encountered heavy smoke with all occupants evacuated from the home. The fire was contained to the lower floor of the home but there was extensive smoke damage.

- Tricia Greenwood

This chimney is desperate for a cleaning

City voters: you will be asked this question on your local election ballot

“Are you in favour of the City of Powell River adopting “Fire Hall / Emergency Services Facility Loan Authorization Bylaw 2695, 2022”, to authorize the borrowing of a sum not to exceed seven and one half million dollars ($7,500,000), over a maximum term of 20 years, in order to finance the construction of a new fire hall / emergency services facility at the City’s Public Works Yard property located at 7160 Duncan Street?”