August 31, 1986 os ' Castlégar News OUT THE FIRE . . . volunteer firefighters are touted as being every bit as skillful and protessional as paid firefighters and may be the wave of the future as major cities seek ways to cut costs. Volunteers skilled as paid firefighters By JOHN GIGGEY Canadian Press HALIFAX — Flames engulf a big room in the basement. Masked men dragging a hose creep toward the blaze on their knees, staying low to get relief from the heat Setter. Volunteers in cities such as Surrey and in rural areas are trained in first aid and cardio pulmonary resuscitation as well as firefighting. They also learn how to rescue accident vietims from crashed cars. and ink-like smoke. One floor up, another team hes for Welcome to firefighters’ school. The trainees are in what's known as the smoke house of the Nova Scotia Fire School at Waverley, just outside Halifax. It's one of several such schools across Canada that are partly responsible for what several observers say is a noticeal improvement in the skills of volunteer fire- fighters |in the past few years. Volunteer firemen have traditionally been active in rural communities and small to medium-sized cities. Only 89 municipalities in Canada had paid, full-time fire departments in 1979, says Dave Cowie, superintendent of the Toronto-based Fire Underwriters Survey. Another 353 had a firefighter often involves a change in lifestyle that accompanies a dedicated commit- ment of service to the community. The summons to duty can come at any time, day or night, and the volunteer must drop whatever he's doing. As well, volunteers usually put in a few hours each week of ongoing training and other fire department duties. The New. Brunswick capital of Fredericton, with a population of about 45,000, disbanded the volunteer part of its fire department more than 15 years ago. Now city officials are negotiating with the firefighters’ union to bring back volunteers as auxiliaries. “WAY TOGO’ “It's a concept that's been proven and tested,” says city departments with both paid and ig . while the fire departments of 2,875 municipalities were manned entirely by volunteers. “I wouldn't expect there's been any dramatic change since that '79 study,” said Cowie. But top officials of firefighting services across Canada believe that in the next few years some major cities may see a return of the volunteer firefighter. MORE FACILITIES Don Baird, a consultant who has studied fire services across Canada, says volunteers have become more sophisti- cated. “The provincial governments have helped in giving them more facilities and training programs, and more money is available to allow them to get better equipment,” the Oakville, Ont.-based Baird said in an interview. ‘A guy who is trained and is professional at the job he does, whether he is paid for it or not, can 7 1 ator John Robison. “We believe it's the way to go and it’s going to be followed by many communities as the financial pinch comes.” ‘Becoming a volunteer firefighter often involves a change in lifestyle that accompanies a dedicated commitment of service to the community.’ Emile Therien, executive director of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, says it's possible even the largest cities will use volunteers in the future. “There are precedents for this around the world,” said Therien of Ottawa. “A number of large European cities use a ination of pr 1 and firefighters.” Noting that about half the firefighters in Hamburg, West Germany, a city of more than two million people, are volunteers, Therien added: “It's based on the ability of the use the term pr firefighter.’ Baird said new techniques allow firefighters to extinguish severe fires with relatively small amounts of water. “This means the volunteer department in a rural setting can carry its own water to a fire and do very good work.” As volunteer skills expand, the traditional distinction between volunteers and professionals has blurred. BASED ON SKILL “The idea that you have to be paid to be professional is totally erroneous,” says Ed Rees, executive director of the Nova Scotia Fire School. “A guy who is trained and is professional at the job he does, whether he is paid for it or not, can use the term professional firefighter bg In addition, a growing number of paid city firefighters who have moved to the suburbs are helping out their communities as volunteers in their off hours. In the past, towns often switched to a paid fire department as soon as they could afford it. But that may be changing. “They are certainly slower now than they used to be in getting rid of volunteers,” said Baird. “They're hanging on to them.” ONLY PAY CHIEF Many towns and cities use a mix of paid and volunteer firefighters to save money Others, such as Simcoe, Ont.. stay almost completely with volunteers. Chief Sam Mitson is the only paid member of a force of 31 in Simcoe, a town of 15,000. “I feel the service we are able to provide to the town is acceptable,” Mitson said in an interview. He'd like to see at least some paid members speed up response time, but adds: We are able to maintain a response to practically any area within our boundaries within a three to-five-minute time frame.” In Surrey, B.C., a sprawling city of 150,000 people covering 330 square kilometres, seven of its 13 fire stations are manned only by volunteers, and volunteers back up the paid firefighters at the others. Although on-duty firefighters respond to every call, it's common for trucks operated by volunteers to arrive first in many parts of the city. MIX IS CHEAPER “The University of Victoria did a study on fire delivery systems and this type of composite department is the most economical and cost effective,” said Surrey fire chief Howard lities to either expand their tax base or get more out of what's already there. And that's becoming increasingly difficult.” DRIVE SAFELY AD Drive Carefully School’s Open Stop! Look! Listen! Keep your eyes on the kids — we've got plenty of them, but none to spare. Realize your responsibility for cautious adherence to traffic regulations in and around school zones! This Message Sponsored By & CANADIAN UNION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES S Local 1298 (Castlegar) Castlegar & District Teachers’ Association The idea may not sit well with paid firefighters. But Therien said: “They may wholeheartedly believe that to go back to a volunteer system may be a real threat to their jobs. But I think it's a perceived threat rather than an actual threat.” — ANNOUNCEMENT — Costiegar Savings Credit Union 's pleased to ennoun ce the appointment of Mike Jenson as Office Manager Mike received his Batchelor of Commerce degree trom the University of h Columbia and is currently enrolled in a senior level of the Ceriitied General Ac countents program His previous employment wos os on auditor with Thorne Riddell for three years ond lastly with Vernon Credit Union os Controller and internal Auditor tor seven yeors We take pleasure in welcoming Mike, his wite Terry end sons Scott ond Clark to Castlegar Board of School Trustees, School District No. 9 Castlegar Designed with the protessional log- al in mind. Excet- #108 @ pulpwood or heavy-duty as hot, dry climates. jest in human, COLUMBIA SAW & SERVICE 199 Columble Ave. 45-27 STIH THE WORLD'S LARGEST SELLING limbing saw Built to stand up in cold, icy conditions as well A unique sow that features high power, low weight and the lat engineering. mah saw D Pe ee $079 alter 6 p.m. join MOFFAT stove, dition $65. Ph. 365-6345. MISC. FOR SALE -s PARAGON RECREATION LTD. 365- EZ working con- Ledies’ Weperl, © Quality Bio-Guerd Chemicals * Lowest Prices Anywhere| Analysis *Free Water Service * © |BIOGUAar 1500807 Ave. tro WEATHER IT Semi-Transparent & Solid Color STAIN 4 $ 19° ARROW BUILDING 2240-6th Ave. 365-2175 For Better or For Worse” students welcome. Duncan, paints evoilable CABINET Zi machine, $80. OW Furniture for Sale Phone 399-4793 WATERBEDS SPECIAL. All sizes $270 complete. Large selection lowest prices. Ph. 367-7608 anytime. 104/? SURPLUS SALES 357-2118 ———————— —— GARDEN s' sheds — 6x8, $395 x8 $495. 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Ph. 7063. oe # the Castiegar News help you wonderful occasion that our QUALITY WEDDING Place Personalized Book Matches Book: idol s Social Stationery Ph. ot AIR CONDITIONING Complete automotive care Wheel alignments BUICK GMC-——— Castlegar 365-2155 The Country Parson, by Frank Clark ALUMINUM sheets. ideal for jive rooting, siding, or tion. Ti can even be Run your classified word ad twice at regular price and get the third insertion ech must hove Stoted. We'll run your od NO EXTRA CHARGE 7 insertions for Price of 4 ANNUAL FUND RAISING EVENT No Risk No Outlay Pr Local References PUPPY'S TO ADV. September 7 — 1 p.m. ‘Mt. Sentinel Cost $25 for 8 weeks Christine Cross 399-412! CALL DOUG LAIND 229-4287 REGISTERED %-Arabion subsequent insertions. Minimum charge is for 20 words. Legal boxed ods 64¢ per agate line for on: sertion; 48€ per agate Ii LAKEFIELD Mosber UTILITY trailer, $250. Ph. 6316 tt 2 Bamg,shaagen 88. Jo’ sne 365. Aluminum Sheets 242" x3 1t0 12 75¢ Eoch 13 to 24 — 60¢ Eoch 25 or More — S0¢ Each CASTLEGAR NEWS 197 Columbia Avenue Castlegar Nine years old. 16-FT. fibreglass conoe, like new. A 365-8051 oF 365. SAHI PENTAX spotmatic F camera. 1.4 lens. 365-2858. 3/68 $75. BRC 10 PEUGOT ten $50. Ph. 5642. tin/70 7) 7 WINE making equipment. wine 4 oak borrels. ress, a Brice negotiable. Ph. 365-3971 3/70 Cc SAND, FILL & SAWDUST Pou! Legebokott -7926 family home NICE three bedroom home on 2 o rs tions Payment Policy Payment may be made by cash, cheque or Visa ond MasterCord credit cards. It is Affordable Antiques and Good Used Furniture not advisable to send cosh through the mail. Clossitied Call 368-5117 840 Rossland Ave., Trail Ads may be charged, but a $1 ply to Visa and MasterCard charges Print your Action Ad on o e piece of paper and The Castlegar News reserves the right to classify ods under appropriate headings ond to determine page location Humen Rights Act All advertisements such os Help Wonted must comply with the British Columbio state or imply o preference i on Heo ge INCLUDE THE PRICE: When vertising items for sole always advisable to stote price. Many readers won't phone if no price is mention tin. SEAMLESS 5” GUTTERS transceiver MIDLAN! SEE WHAT MARY KAY COSMETICS can do for you. $1.00 off each item. Call Fron. 365. 7 in mining, etc. 365-5190. U 2640 40 watt 80 = channel 340-8 30 watt tran- sceiver. Good for 359. neor — QNDER S40 pra Sistsenn Sasa 9765 FULL-PAGE REPRODUCTIONS of -9973,__tin/70 5 ew other pages 7 FURNISHED one bdrm. ay Oglow Subdivision. Ph. 365- son. __ _ 3/70 Feige stove. gos heat, large available October 1. 3 bedroom $265/month. 365-3155. house, My S opphences, 1 boths. “+ bemt. $400/mo. Ph. 2 BORM. duplex. Robson 365-6023 3/79 per month. 366-3524 ONE leg vise $10. Ph. 365-7521 i ne: “i: WRINGER washer. working con: dition, $35. Phone 399-4274. 3/68 Mountainview Agencies Ltd. vy tinvous 5-year k ree estimates. Call 3240. Seamless Gutters 4° of 5” heavy gouge pointed aluminum 5-year leak proof ‘quorantee Call Mr. Gutter 365-3240 TEEL Working with you from or the bosis of on applicont’s rece, r gion. ancestry con. jek proot guaran _ 104/23 Giroud’s. 3225 Re 7/e4 oo A Better Way to Build Air Brakes Course in Castlegar Sept. 5.6.7 FURTHER INFO 368-5621 We are exclusive Listing Agents for CMHC RENT acquired properties in the Castlegor crea This is an assortment of what is presently available for THIS vote Phone 365-2111 SPACE $2. USED GUNS bought ond sold Cash or trode. Wises Hordwore Rossland. 1-362-517! tin/93 110 CONDITIONED, boled hoy 25/each. 110 reguior hay, FRESH trees 39 3/68 5. 2 wood cook stoves 365-5210 com — 1699 = Highway 3A Thrums Ph. 399- 4 7 id 421-104th § $36.900 Se aealieaell Regional District INVITATION TO TENDER Sealed tenders morked “Trenching cavation of a trench at the be received by the Regional Vernon Street. Nelson, B.C. VIL 4€9 by no later than 2:00 September 16, 1986. ot which time and place p.m. Tu they will be publicly opened. The trench will be 200 feet long. 10 feet deep. 30 feet CASTLEGAR o (minimum) wide at the top and 10 feet (minimum) wide at the i bottom. The trench will ond adjacent to the existing Commencement and completion dotes ore to be included with your submission The Regional District of Central Kootenay reserves the right 1 tenders or to accep! the tender most favourable in the interest of the District. Additional in formtion may be obtained by contacting the undersigned ot the Regional District office — 352-6665. to reject any or D. BALIGARA, Secre: Regional tory District of Central Kootenay TREET BLUEBERRY CREEK, soo of Central Kootenay 1444 ARROW LAKES DRIVE CNS as Nokusp” for the ex Nakusp retuse disposal site will District of Central Kootenay. 601 3614-9th AVENUE located immediately in tront of trench ? i A HH KAL aTIRE | ee |