firefighters

Cameron St. Amand (left) competed as a finalist in the 2023 World’s Strongest Firefighter Contest, which involved doing a sandbag carry. (Special to The News)

B.C. firefighter competes in World’s Strongest Firefighter Contest

Cameron St. Amand was one of only two Canadian finalists in the competition

Cameron St. Amand (left) competed as a finalist in the 2023 World’s Strongest Firefighter Contest, which involved doing a sandbag carry. (Special to The News)
File photo

Senior saves son from near drowning during Family Day surf trip in Tofino

RCMP, Canadian Coast Guard, BC Ambulance and Volunteer Fire Department respond at Chesterman Beach

File photo
Students from Chemainus Secondary School were evacuated as a precaution Tuesday. (File photo by Don Bodger)

Chemainus Secondary evacuated as a precaution from fire call

Basement smell checked out but nothing found by fire crews

Students from Chemainus Secondary School were evacuated as a precaution Tuesday. (File photo by Don Bodger)
Nanaimo Fire Rescue firefighters and other emergency services were kept busy with motor vehicle incidents on snowy and icy roads Tuesday, Jan. 31. (News Bulletin file photo)

Snow and ice put Nanaimo motorists in precarious situations

Firefighters rescue trapped driver, as well as occupants of vehicle teetering on edge of steep bank

Nanaimo Fire Rescue firefighters and other emergency services were kept busy with motor vehicle incidents on snowy and icy roads Tuesday, Jan. 31. (News Bulletin file photo)
Firefighter recruits learn the basics of their kit during training at the Sooke Firehall. Sooke, Metchosin, and East Sooke fire departments are training 13 recruits to become firefighters over the next several months. (Sooke Fire Rescue – Facebook)

Training begins for 13 regional firefighter recruits

Sooke, Metchosin, and East Sooke fire departments work together to teach program

Firefighter recruits learn the basics of their kit during training at the Sooke Firehall. Sooke, Metchosin, and East Sooke fire departments are training 13 recruits to become firefighters over the next several months. (Sooke Fire Rescue – Facebook)
Extension volunteer firefighters perform a rope rescue to retrieve a dog that became stranded on the ledge of a cliff after slipping on steep terrain south of Nanaimo on Thursday, Jan. 26. (Photo courtesy Extension Volunteer Fire Department)

Volunteer firefighters rescue dog that fell down rocky ridge south of Nanaimo

Extension Volunteer Fire Department performed rope rescue operation Thursday, Jan. 26

Extension volunteer firefighters perform a rope rescue to retrieve a dog that became stranded on the ledge of a cliff after slipping on steep terrain south of Nanaimo on Thursday, Jan. 26. (Photo courtesy Extension Volunteer Fire Department)
Kirby Booker puts out a grass fire. (Karen Powell file photo)

Female firefighters extinguishing stereotypes in B.C.’s cariboo

Barb Bachmeier got her start on the fire brigades in Barkerville and Wells in 1994

Kirby Booker puts out a grass fire. (Karen Powell file photo)
Esquimalt Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) members celebrate the 20-year anniversary with the unveiling of a new crest. (Courtesy of EFRS)

Esquimalt Fire Department celebrates 20 years of service

The fire rescue unveiled a new crest, which incorporates its goals of inclusivity and support

Esquimalt Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) members celebrate the 20-year anniversary with the unveiling of a new crest. (Courtesy of EFRS)
The Ucluelet Volunteer Fire Brigade responded to a vessel fire at the outer boat basin around 1:30 a.m. Thursday. (Photo courtesy of the Ucluelet Volunteer Fire Brigade)

Vessel catches fire before sinking in Ucluelet harbour

Firefighters tackle early morning blaze on Thursday, Jan. 5

The Ucluelet Volunteer Fire Brigade responded to a vessel fire at the outer boat basin around 1:30 a.m. Thursday. (Photo courtesy of the Ucluelet Volunteer Fire Brigade)
Kelowna Fire Department on the ice at Kelowna Golf and Country Club for cold water training on Jan. 5, 2023. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)

Black Press reporter takes the plunge with firefighters for cold water training

Kelowna Fire Department renews skills with annual training

  • Jan 5, 2023
Kelowna Fire Department on the ice at Kelowna Golf and Country Club for cold water training on Jan. 5, 2023. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)
Vernon Fire Rescue

It’s a girl! Firefighters deliver Vernon baby

Mother and newborn are doing well following emergency labour

Vernon Fire Rescue
Rick McLeod helps a student suit up with firefighter gearin this file photo from 2012. McLerod has served more than 30myears with Sooke Fire Rescue. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Rick McLeod helps a student suit up with firefighter gearin this file photo from 2012. McLerod has served more than 30myears with Sooke Fire Rescue. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Ready to roll. Sooke Fire Rescue decorated its trucks for Saturday night’s annual Sooke Santa Run. Donations are still being accepted online. (Contributed - Sooke Fire Rescue)

Sooke Santa Run gives hope and help to needy families

Donations to annual event still accepted online

Ready to roll. Sooke Fire Rescue decorated its trucks for Saturday night’s annual Sooke Santa Run. Donations are still being accepted online. (Contributed - Sooke Fire Rescue)
A kitten crawled inside the engine compartment of a firetruck at a crash Sunday, Nov. 27 and was discovered back at the firehall. (City of Vernon photo)

Feline fine after fur-raising ride on Vernon fire truck

Stowaway cat catches a ride with firefighters

A kitten crawled inside the engine compartment of a firetruck at a crash Sunday, Nov. 27 and was discovered back at the firehall. (City of Vernon photo)
Firefighters from the Malakwa Fire Department and others from the Shuswap participate in a live-burn training exercise. (File Photo)

New builds made of combustible materials make for hotter blazes: Shuswap firefighters

‘It really is a dangerous environment now. Stuff can be replaced but firefighters cannot’

Firefighters from the Malakwa Fire Department and others from the Shuswap participate in a live-burn training exercise. (File Photo)
Sooke Firefighters’ annual Santa Run is set for DEC. 10, with four trucks moving neighbourhood to neighbourhood to collect donations for the Sooke Food Bank. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke firefighters rescue Christmas for many

Annual Santa Run set for Dec. 10 throughout town

Sooke Firefighters’ annual Santa Run is set for DEC. 10, with four trucks moving neighbourhood to neighbourhood to collect donations for the Sooke Food Bank. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Chemainus firefighter and parademic Alex Meyer. (Photo by Devon Gillot)

Firefighter who beat cancer this year giving back through fundraiser

Meyer initiates campaign for chemotherapy unit where he spent a lot of time

Chemainus firefighter and parademic Alex Meyer. (Photo by Devon Gillot)
B.C. firefighters will receive workers’ compensation for two more types of cancer, pancreatic and thyroid, as of Nov, 8. 2022. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. firefighters now covered for 2 more types of cancer

Pancreatic, thyroid cancers added to types covered by workers’ compensation

B.C. firefighters will receive workers’ compensation for two more types of cancer, pancreatic and thyroid, as of Nov, 8. 2022. (Black Press Media file photo)
Kids interact with firefighters at the Esquimalt hall. (Courtesy Lindsay Johnson)

Esquimalt firefighters forge springboard experiences for students

Fire department, Greater Victoria School District build bridges with new program

Kids interact with firefighters at the Esquimalt hall. (Courtesy Lindsay Johnson)
Nanaimo Fire Rescue Station No. 1 on Fitzwilliam Street is nearing completion. Administration staff started setting up offices in July, but the structure is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2022. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

PHOTOS: Nanaimo’s new downtown fire station built for operational and energy efficiency

Nanaimo fire chief expects Fire Station No. 1 to be complete by the end of this year

Nanaimo Fire Rescue Station No. 1 on Fitzwilliam Street is nearing completion. Administration staff started setting up offices in July, but the structure is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2022. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)