WCDM Conference

Date: 5/5/2008 9:16:55 AM     By: Trent Shields
Link: http://www.bcftoa.com/public/wcdmposter.htm
Hi everyone,

Here's a conference notice.

ttp://www.bcftoa.com/public/wcdmposter.htm

Cheers

Trent

Update on Dennis Montgomery

Date: 4/20/2008 10:55:26 AM     By: Trent Shields
Link:
For those of you that are interested in how Dennis has been, I've received an email from him the other day. He is still in the fight, here is what he has to say.

I've had several inquiries about my condition, so I thought I would bring you up to date. Will Start with the facts, I have Grade 3 Astrocyama Brain Cancer. I had two tumors removed in April of 2008. A new tumor has appeared since then which means I'm waiting for an MRI on April 23rd then will decide if surgery is an option.

Dennis can be reached at the following email.

mscs@telus.net


Cheers

Trent

FSLG Update March 31,2008

Date: 4/8/2008 1:24:15 PM     By: Trent Shields
Link: http://www.bcftoa.com/public/FSLG-Update03-31-08.pdf
To Members of the FSLG Associations
I would like to provide you with an update on the BC Fire Services Model Development
Project, the initiative being undertaken by the Fire Services Liaison Group (“FSLG”) to
set long term direction and develop a plan for the future of fire services within the
province. In this communication I have used the same Q&A format that I employed in
my prior updates.

To read the full report >> FSLG Update for March 31st, 2008

Cheers
Trent SHields, 1st Vice President BCFTOA

Projectors review site

Date: 4/3/2008 9:09:55 AM     By: Trent Shields
Link: http://www.aboutprojectors.com/
We all need to use power point these days, and to do so we need a good projector. I came across a good review site for projectors that you may want to check out before your next purchase.

http://www.aboutprojectors.com/

I will continue to scour the net for more of these helpful sites that can help you out.

Trent Shields, 1st Vice BCFTOA

Added some new files

Date: 3/31/2008 12:36:35 PM     By: Trent Shields
Link: http://www.bcftoa.com/training.asp
Hi everyone,

I've added some new files and a couple links to the site. They are all about training props. I'm combing the internet for more resources like this, If you have any plans that you'd like to share, or know of some, send a link to me and I'll include it in the training section.

• Mobile Training Prop Plans


• Indiana Fire Training Props


• FireBlast Training props

Cheers
Trent

Rebecca Denlinger appointed Fire Commisioner for BC

Date: 2/13/2008 5:07:51 PM     By: Trent Shields
Link:

Rebecca Denlinger has accepted the position of Fire Commissioner for the Province of British Columbia.

Ms. Denlinger brings to her new role more than three decades of experience with Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services in Georgia (located in the metropolitan Atlanta area), where she began as a firefighter and served most recently as fire chief since 1997 in a department with 654 positions.

In her new position, Ms. Denlinger will be called upon to lead a staff of 25 in the Victoria-based Office of the Fire Commissioner. Her focus will be on strengthening relationships with the province’s 400-plus fire departments and enhancing the OFC’s role in fire investigations and fire and life safety education.

Ms. Denlinger's varied qualifications include certification as a firefighter, emergency medical technician, hazmat response technician, fire instructor and smoke diver. In 2004, President Bush appointed her to serve on the National Infrastructure Advisory Council and she has also served on several committees of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs. Ms. Denlinger is also on the Board of Directors of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). In 2005, Ms. Denlinger was named Public Safety Employee of the Year by the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce.

Rebecca Denlinger will commence her duties in early March. Please join me in welcoming her to the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General and to Emergency Management BC.

W.H.(Wes) SHOEMAKER
Associate Deputy Minister
Emergency Management BC (EMBC)
Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General
Bus: (250) 953-4083
Fax: (250) 387-4872
wes.shoemaker@gov.bc.ca

FSLG - Email to Members

Date: 2/7/2008 12:20:58 PM     By: Dave Palmer
Link: http://www.bcftoa.com/public/Email to FTOA 02-07-08.pdf
To FTOA Member
As we informed you previously, the Fire Services Liaison Group (“FSLG”) comprised of
the key stakeholders with direct management and administration involvement in the fire
service, is undertaking a major project to develop a broadly based new Fire Service
Model for the province. As part of this work it is essential that the important issues and
current or anticipated major developments facing the Fire Service be properly identified
and verified. To obtain this information questionnaire surveys of all the fire departments
and local governments/Authorities Having Jurisdiction in BC are being conducted.
It is essential that we obtain input from as many fire departments and Authorities Having
Jurisdiction as possible. It is important that your department be included so I would like
to personally ask you to participate in the survey. The questionnaire can be completed on
the internet by going to www.fcabc.bc.ca , click on Fire Service Model Development
Project and click on FSLG Fire Department Questionnaire. If you wish to provide your
input in a pen and paper format, e-mail, telephone or write to the Mike Sommers, the
FSLG Project Manager, and he will provide a copy. He can be reached at:

· msommers@smgcolumbia.com ;
· 604-990-9680; or
· 1028 Clements Avenue,
North Vancouver, BC V7R 2L4

A few points about the questionnaire:
· If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Mike Sommers.
· The deadline for completion of the questionnaire is March 14th, although we would
appreciate it if you could provide your responses as quickly as possible.
· At first glance the questionnaire may seem to be somewhat long. This is due to the
space taken by the checkbox format that has been utilized for simplicity. Test timings
conducted during questionnaire development determined that the questionnaire can be
completed in well under an hour.
· We want to receive one completed questionnaire from each fire department. The
questionnaire has been broadly distributed to members of the FSLG Associations so
your fire department management team should coordinate their efforts to produce a
single response.
An equivalent questionnaire has been provided to your Authority Having Jurisdiction.
We would appreciate it if you would encourage your local Authority (CAO) to participate
in the survey. This questionnaire can be accessed at www.fcabc.bc.ca , click on Fire
Service Model Development Project, then click on FSLG local Government (Jurisdiction
Having Authority) Questionnaire.

Thank you for your support and participation.
Dave Palmer
President,
BC Fire Training Officer’s Association

Emergency Childbirth & Neonatal Resuscitation program

Date: 2/5/2008 12:51:00 PM     By: Trent Shields
Link: http://www.bcftoa.com/public/Life_Support_British_Columbia.pdf


As you may be aware, Life Support British Columbia has developed the Emergency Childbirth & Neonatal Resuscitation program for delivery to First Responders in British Columbia. Over the fall and early winter of 2007 we have travelled to many fire departments around the province to delivery this program. Our goal is to complete this training program for all interested first responders and fire departments by the end of 2008.

The emergency childbirth & neonatal resuscitation course is five hours in length and covers:

-Normal pregnancy & development

-Routine delivery presentations

-Complicated delivery presentations such as breech birth, prolapsed cord and limb presentation

-Basic neonatal resuscitation (what to do when an infant is born ‘flat’)

-Pediatric Bag-Valve-Mask Training Component

Teaching aids include the use of obstetrical dolls to simulate all aspects of childbirth as well as pediatric airway trainers and BVM’s.

The program has been reviewed by the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Branch for delivery to First Responders.

Scheduling of 2008 offerings is now taking place, if your department is interested in this training please feel free to contact me using one of the below methods. Email is best.

Please see attached .pdf file for further information on this course.

Kind Regards;

Graham Williamson
Director, Pre-Hospital Care & Resuscitation Programs
Life Support British Columbia
Office: 250-248-2137
Cellular: 250-240-2975

WorksafeBC Safety Bulletin

Date: 1/27/2008 1:50:44 PM     By: Trent Shields
Link: http://www2.worksafebc.com/publications/posters.asp?reportID=34842
Safety Bulletin

Fire Fighter collapses from heat stress in training

Please read and share the following safety bulletin with your department.

http://www2.worksafebc.com/publications/posters.asp?reportID=34842

Thank you

Trent Shields

Fire Service Laiason Group Update

Date: 1/24/2008 10:05:09 AM     By: Dave Palmer
Link: http://www.bcftoa.com/public/FSLGSurvey.pdf
To Members of the FTOA

I would like to provide you with an update on the BC Fire Services Model Development
Project, the initiative being undertaken by the Fire Services Liaison Group (“FSLG”) to
set long term direction and develop a plan for the future of fire services within the
province. In this communication I have used the same Q&A format that I employed in
my last update at the end of November.

To read the full text please download the pdf at FSLG Survey.pdf
Please take the time to read this document thoroughly as it has great import for the future of the fire service in BC.

Dave Palmer,
President BCFTOA.

Big Fire at PG Pulp

Date: 1/16/2008 12:41:44 PM     By: Trent Shields
Link: http://www.opinion250.com

Prince George, B.C. - A major fire at PG Pulp has caused millions of dollars in damage. About 80 people were at work when flames started in the chip receiving area around 6:00 this evening. No one was hurt, and all staff have been accounted for.

The flames raced through the chip bins, chip screens and the conveyor, fanned by high winds from the east.

(click on video icon for video of fire)

Management ordered an” orderly shut down”, making sure all tanks were drained, and all systems safe from further damage.

Dave Scott, the General Manager for Human Resources for Canfor, says it is too early to tell what impact this will have on the pulp mill’s operations.

One employee says it would be safe to suggest operations “will be impeded”.

This is not the first time there has been a fire in the chip receiving area at the P.G. Pulp Mill, but workers say it is the worst they have ever seen. The cause of the fire is not known, although past flare ups in this area have been sparked when bearings disintegrated.

(source: Opinion 250)

Basic Fire fighter "train the trainer" dates

Date: 1/13/2008 7:46:56 PM     By: Dean Colthrop
Link: http://bcftoa.com/private/docs/training/FFBasic.html

Course Schedule

<

Scheduled dates :
Feb 9, 10	Port Alberni Area
February 23-24, 2008	Roberts Creek
March 1, 2	Thornhill, Terrace Area
March 29, 30	Quesnel
May 3, 4	Oliver
May 24, 25	BCFTOA Conference
June 7-8, 2008	South Cariboo (specific location to be determined)
Sept 20, 21	Okanagan Falls
October 4, 5	Castlegar

Fire Fighter Basic Course Ready for Prime time

Date: 12/13/2007 1:28:19 PM     By: Trent Shields
Link: http://www.bcftoa.com/private/docs/training/FFBasic.html
Basic Program – Updated and Revised

Many years ago the Certification Task Force of the British Columbia Fire Safety Advisory Council developed the Basic Fire Fighting Certificate. The Task Force consisted of representatives from the BC Fire Chief’s Association, BC Fire Training Officers Association, BC Volunteer Fire Fighter’s Association, the Justice Institute of British Columbia, and the Office of the Fire Commissioner.
It was intended that the Basic Fire Fighting Certificate be obtainable by all BC Fire Fighters and provide them with the minimum training needed to safely serve their communities.

The Basic Certificate allows departments to demonstrate that their fire fighters possess the minimum fire fighter skills within NFPA 1001 identified by the Task Force to safely conduct basic fireground operations. It is delivered though an in house training model. Topics include:

1. Fire Fighter Safety

2. Personal Protection Equipment & Self Contained Breathing Apparatus

3. Rope and Knots

4. Ladders

5. Ventilation

6. Fire Hose, Fire Streams and Appliances

7. Water Supplies

8. Fire Behaviour (optional)

In its revision, the Basic Certificate is now easier for departments to administer and deliver. Basic Evaluators no longer have to have completed both the 2-day Evaluator Workshop and the 2-1/2 day Fire Service Instructor 1 certification. This has been replaced by a two-day Train the Trainer Model.

Also, the Basic Certificate now allows for direct laddering or bridging into NFPA 1001 Fire Fighter 1 certification by giving credit for those Fire Fighter I subjects already taught and evaluated through the Basic Certification process.

Back to eNewsletter

Train the Trainer Model
Scheduled dates :


Feb 9, 10 Port Alberni Area

March 1, 2 Thornhill, Terrace Area

March 29, 30 Quesnel

May 3, 4 Oliver

May 24, 25 BCFTOA Conference

Sept 20, 21 Okanagan Falls

October 4, 5 Castlegar

To be announced Sunshine Coast




The Basic Fire Fighter Certificate Program Train the Trainer Model allows fire departments to accomplish the minimum training required through in-house training. The Trainer completes the 2 day performance based Train the Trainer Program run by the Justice Institute of British Columbia. Fire Departments will be trained how to implement all aspects of the program including; application, evaluation, and records management.
In addition, the trainer is also taught how to provide coaching and further skill development to personnel to enable them to challenge parts of Fire Fighter I that are not covered in the Basic Fire Fighter Certificate Program.

The initial rollout of the Train the Trainer is a cooperative effort of the BC Fire Chief’s Association, BC Fire Training Officers Association, BC Volunteer Fire Fighter’s Association, the Justice Institute of British Columbia, and the Office of the Fire Commissioner.

The Basic Fire Fighter Certificate Program combined with the Train the Trainer Model is a unique and cost effective way to accomplish a certificate based on written and practical checklists that ensure that fire department members meet the minimum training requirements identified by the Task Force to safely conduct basic fireground operations.

For further information or to register please contact the Fire & Safety Division at 604.462.1000 or toll free 1-888- 844-0445 or by email fire@jibc.ca

New Assistant Chief - Training/OH&H Officer

Date: 12/12/2007 8:51:23 PM     By: Bruce Dundas
Link:


I am pleased to announce Langley City Fire Rescue Service’s new Assistant Chief - Training/OH&S Officer, Pete Methot. Pete commenced employment with our department on December 3, 2007. He comes to us from Prince George Airport were he was Superintendent, Safety & Compliance. Pete has a background in the Fire Service starting with the City of Kamloops as a grounds keeper and then moving on to Kamloops Airport as a fire fighter. He also worked as an EMA I with BCAS. Pete then moved to Transport Canada working as a fire fighter at the Airport in Richmond and eventually to the City of Richmond, moving from fire fighter into the officer ranks.



Pete is certified as a Live Fire Instructor, Haz Mat Technician, Training Officer II, FR Instructor III, Auto Extrication Instructor and has many other certifications and qualifications to his credit. Pete has trained both career and volunteer fire fighters and will be a great asset for Langley City Fire Rescue Service.



Fire Chief

B.R. Dundas

Langley City Fire Rescue Service

Jocelyn Roberts Memorial Bursary for Fire Fighters

Date: 11/27/2007 10:32:48 AM     By: Rory Thompson
Link:

Applications are welcomed from career or volunteer fire fighters who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents enrolled in the Fire and Safety Studies Diploma program, Fire Services Leadership Diploma or the Bachelor of Fire and Safety Studies Degree Program.

Up to 2 awards of $2,500 each will be available annually for applicants who are enrolling in the next semester of one of the above programs.

As well as the basic eligibility criteria, candidates must demonstrate:

• financial need
• community involvement
• leadership qualities and aspirations to advance the fire fighting profession
• academic merit indicated by successfully completing prior courses in the program.

In addition to completing a standard bursary application form, candidates must submit a letter outlining how they meet these criteria and a letter of reference from a senior fire officer in Canada.

Rory Thompson
Program Director

Justice Institute of BC
Maple Ridge Campus
13500 - 256th Street
Maple Ridge BC V4R 1C9

phone: (604) 462-1000
fax: (604) 462-9149
toll free: 1-888-844-0445

web site: www.jibc.ca/fire

BC Fire Services Model Project Moves to Phase 2

Date: 9/13/2007 10:39:31 AM     By: Dave Palmer
Link:
BC FIRE SERVICES MODEL PROJECT MOVES FORWARD TO PHASE 2
The Model project is continuing. Progress has been steady to this point. With the data input from the working groups gathered the focus has now changed. The wide scope of the data presented is being reviewed and the various topics will be re-ordered and connected to give a smooth and logical flow of information in the report. This "massaging" work will be done by various groups and individuals. These may include contributors from the task groups or they may be new individuals or even consultants. The critical action is to take all the valuable information that the task groups developed and link it together in a format that is logical, matched with our goals and the goals of the governments (municipal and provincial) for where they see the Fire Service going.

This process will take a lot of additional research and work, writing and re-writing the report.
Mike Sommers - the consultant for the project - is working hard to keep everything and everyone on track and on time. He and the Fire Chiefs are very aware of the need to keep all the stakeholders involved and up-to-date and with the attached letter are doing just that.

The project will be completed and submitted. It will present the concerns of ALL stakeholders. It will influence the direction of the Fire Service for years to come so it is a critical work.
If you have any questions or concerns on the project please feel free to contact me.

Dave Palmer
President
BCFTOA

Emergency Childbirth Training for FR''s

Date: 8/9/2007 7:44:34 PM     By: Graham Williamson
Link:
Dear BCFTOA

Please distribute this information to your network / areas:

Upon request by Fire Departments throughout the Province, Life Support BC has developed, and had approved by EMA Licensing, an emergency childbirth training program for First Responders.

This program includes training on delivery of the newborn, using obstetrical training dolls to simulate normal and abnormal / complicated birth presentations. Included as part of the program is training on neonatal resuscitation as well use of pediatric bag - valve - mask devices.

Upon completion of this program, the First Responders license will be endorsed for emergency childbirth and pediatric BVM. This course runs for approx 4-5 hours, is available province wide, and can be delivered through our instructors or by existing FR III instructors through an instructor update provided by Life Support BC. OB dolls and airway equipment can be loaned to your dept for in house courses.

To schedule a training session for your department, or for further information, please contact the undersigned.

Sincerely;

Graham Williamson, Director
Pre-Hospital Care & Resuscitation Programs Life Support British Columbia
Direct: 250-248-2137
Email: graham@lifesupportbc.com


----------------------------
Is your departments medical direction coverage up to date? Contact Life Support for more information on Fire Department medical direction.

Job Posting - JIBC Fire/Safety Division

Date: 10/23/2006 4:00:53 PM     By: Greg Metcalfe
Link: www.bcftoa.com/public/FrieProtectCoord.pdf
This position is one of a team of coordinators that are based in the Fire and Safety Division, New Westminster Campus
providing training based on National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and other standards to the structural fire services
and industry. Although this position is designed to focus on fire departments within the province, the interests and needs
may cross to other areas including international training or initiatives that interact with the Maple Ridge Campus, other
academies /divisions or other learning organizations.

please follow the link for more information.


Trent

Job Posting - Vancouver Coastal Health

Date: 10/23/2006 3:25:38 PM     By: Dave Palmer
Link: www.bcftoa.com/public/document.pdf
There is an opening for a Fire Management coordinator with the Vancouver Coastal Health unit. Click the link to see more.

ESTC Approved by WorksafeBC

Date: 10/6/2006 3:10:24 PM     By: Trent Shields
Link:
Emergency Scene Traffic Control
Link to the Press Release

Brought to you by the BC Safety Council and the BC Fire Training Officer's Association with endorsements from the Fire Provention Officer's Association and the BC Fire Chief's Association.

WorkSafeBC Approved

Program designed especially for Emergency Responders

Is “acceptable to the board” and meets all applicable requirements

Pre-requisite for instructors is FSI-I

1 day ‘Train the Trainer’ course $125

includes all required course materials on CD and hard copy

Student course (4 hour - $10 per student)

BC Safety Council and BC Fire Training Officer certified course

Records managed and maintained by BC Safety Council

Re-certification monitored and facilitated by BC Safety Council

Courses scheduled through BC Safety Council



For course and scheduling information contact:

Lindsay Lambright at BC Safety Council

#2225 21331 Gordon Way, Richmond BC, V6W 1J9

Phone 604-214-7433 Fax 604-214-7434,

Lindsay_Lambright@safetycouncil.bc.ca

Don Jolley takes DC job in Langley

Date: 9/28/2006 1:43:57 PM     By: Trent Shields
Link:
Congratulations to Don Jolley, we hope he is very successful in his new job.
Don Jolley
Don began his career in the Fire Service in 1990 as a volunteer firefighter in Pitt Meadows. Don progressed through the ranks to Captain, Training Officer and volunteer Chief. In July 2001 became the career Deputy Chief responsible for training and operations. Don brings a wealth of diverse fire and rescue street experience to his new role. He has performed as the primary Incident Commander at numerous emergency incidents, including multi-million dollar fires and complex rescues, over the past 8 years.

Don brings experience in management of major capital projects, training programs, fire inspection programs and emergency preparedness programs.

He is certified through BCERMS as an Incident Command System and Emergency Operations Center Instructor for the Justice Institute of B.C. Don has assisted in the design of numerous college level educational programs for Kwantlen College and the Justice Institute and regularly instructs emergency response and support personnel throughout Canada on many aspects of emergency response. He is a graduate of Simon Fraser University, Capilano College and Justice Institute of BC degree and certificate programs. He was formerly employed by the BC Ambulance Service and is licensed as an Advanced Life Support Paramedic.

Dean Colthrop Takes Job in Langley

Date: 9/6/2006 10:42:01 AM     By: Bruce Dundas
Link:
I am pleased to send you this bio for our new Assistant Fire Chief Dean Colthorp.

Dean will be in charge of Fire Service training and Occupational Health and Safety programs for the City. His start date will be Sept. 11 an auspicious date to start new programs and introduce a new team member, but I’m sure Dean is up to the challenge. Dean will be working out of the fire hall with half his time dedicated to OH&S and the other half to Fire Department training. In time Dean will also be expected to take on part of the Duty Officer role for the fire department.

Dean has an extensive background as a volunteer fire fighter, career firefighter, and command officer and most recently in fire service training. Deans training has had him write and deliver many occupational health and safety programs and Operational Guidelines. I look forward to working with Dean to bring our training to new levels of efficiency.



Bruce Dundas

Deputy Fire Chief

Bruce Dundas appointed Fire Chief

Date: 7/28/2006 3:44:40 PM     By: Cliff Gittens
Link:

Fire Chief Appointment

Langley City Fire – Rescue Service

As a result of Fire Chief McGregor’s retirement after a thirty-six year career in the Langley City Fire Rescue Service the City is pleased to announce that, Deputy Fire Chief Bruce Dundas has been appointed to succeed Chief McGregor and will assume the position of Fire Chief for the City of Langley, effective December 1, 2006.

Bruce’s training; experience and professional involvement in the Fire Service support him well in this appointment. Bruce began his career as a volunteer firefighter in the City of Langley in 1974 and assumed the position of Deputy Fire Chief in 1984. He has kept current in all areas of training and he is a certified Command Officer, Training Officer and a Certified Fire Investigator by the Office of the Provincial Fire Commissioner. Bruce has also kept current with industry trends and best practices through his extensive involvement with Provincial Professional organizations and he has been appointed to a long list of Provincial and Professional working committees.

There will be a Change of Command ceremony in November that will both celebrate Chief McGregor’s years of service and will launch the new Fire Chief’s tenure.

Chief McGregor’s thirty - six year career began as a volunteer member in October of 1970. Over the years of his service he has had both a professional and personal impact on the City of Langley. Appointed as Fire Chief in March of 1983 Jim has served the community and the Fire Rescue Service overall in a very positive way. While his presence will be missed, we know that Bruce Dundas will fill the role with excellence.



Congratulations Bruce!



Cliff Gittens

Dean's Last Alarm

Date: 7/24/2006 9:58:39 AM     By: Bruce Dundas
Link:
Deans Last Alarm

Dave Palmer, Bob Cannon and I went to Dean’s service in Abbotsford last week and I can honestly say Dean would have been proud of all of who attended and all of you who sent condolences and best wishes to his wife Sue and family.

The service was very well done (Kudos’s to Abbotsford Fire Dept.) I know that Departments from all over attended the service and they are far too many to recognize here. I would guess there were 900 to 1000 fire service people the along with family and friends for his final ride in the old fire truck. Chief Lawrie of Abbotsford presented his wife Sue with his Cap, Medals and Canadian Flag at the end of the service and we all formed two lines outside the church to formally say goodbye a very moving and emotional moments for all in attendance.

We (your executive) would like to rename our annual scholarship fund to the “BCFTOA Dean Larivee Memorial Fund. Please let us know if you agree!

Thank you to the BC Professional and our Fire Service members for working so hard to get cancers recognized so that our loved ones can be protected.

President Bruce Dundas

BC Fire Training Officers Association.

Pager issues from Motorola

Date: 6/14/2006 10:43:18 AM     By: Bruce Dundas
Link:
Hi All

We have been experiencing difficulties in getting the new Motorola V pagers repaired locally and have found that Motorola won’t let the local dealers fix them and now have a “Flat Rate” of $ 125.00 per pager no matter what repair is required. For example if you need a $ 5.00 knob you will have to ship it to Motorola and they will repair it charge you the $ 125.00 plus parts and keep it for a month before you get it back!

Basically all pagers are supplied to our local dealers by one supplier in Canada, SilverCom in Mississauga Ontario. The following is a direct quote from them on the pager issue.

Minitor II: Discontinued. What every parts are available in stock will be used up until they run out and then that’s it. This is very unfortunate because the stock of pager cases have been depleted already and you can’t get replacements. So all you can do if you’ve got a Min II with a broken case, is use a lot of duct-tape. Period.

Minitor III: Everything is available at the present time.

Minitor IV: Only the battery door … the little lid that flips open when you replace batteries, and the back clip … the part, external to the pager that clips onto your belt. No other parts are available so basically this pager needs to be sent to Motorola Pager Care for repairs.

Minitor V: Zero parts are being supplied. It’s an odd business plan this company has but when you’re that big, who cares? The only reason I’ve been given for this approach by Motorola is that the pager loses its ‘intrinsically safe’ rating when it’s opened in the field.

My supplier is currently looking for alternatives to Motorola pagers but states that anything out there is less than durable enough for the fire service. If anyone out there has an alternative to this pager issue I would appreciate hearing about it.

Message to all members

Date: 6/7/2006 4:10:37 PM     By: Bruce Dundas
Link:
Never give up on your dreams and aspirations to be a better trainer, continually strive to ensure that your students will be better at fire fighting that you ever where! Give them the gift of knowledge for it may just save their life or the life of a stranger.

There can’t be a greater reward!!!!

B Dundas

President BCFTOA

31st Annual Workshop a Success

Date: 6/1/2006 1:44:28 PM     By: Trent Shields
Link:

The 31st Annual educational Workshop was a great success!!

I
had a great time in Prince George this year, and I thank all the people that
cmae together to make it so. I took a bunch of pictures
while I was there.

 

Scott
Jones From West Vancouver Fire did an excellent presentation on High-Rise Fire
fighting. Here are links to his material. Due to the size of these files I'll
leave them on his servers and you guys can download from there.

pghr.zip  
highrise.zip
to access these files username: webtransfer Password: westvan

Bob
weicker did a presentation on Emergency vehicle operations. He left a link to
the IAFF Emergency Vehicle Program.

www.iaff.org/evsp/home.html

I'll have more as I go along, please stay tuned

 

Zone 3 update

Date: 5/31/2006 1:14:13 PM     By: Larry Watkinson
Link:
After Whistler, Zone 3 came away with some positive relationships inter zone. In 2005 we saw more fire departments sharing lesson plans via email and posting fire dept. hosted courses that they had extra room in on the BCFTOA web site. The Kelowna Fire Dept. has been a very generous department providing central meeting areas along with NORD fire training centre, and new to the table the JIBC Okanagan offering there class rooms for us to use at no cost for Zone meetings. October 15, 2005. 27 members of the BCFTOA Zone 3 came together for a joint training day and general meeting at NORD fire training centre. Doug Buchholz hosted the event at the fire training centre. It was a great time to meet new faces and share ideas. The topic of the day was how to prepare a Rapid Intervention Team training program and RIT rescue bag. We were fortunate to have Glenn Maddess, JIBC fire and safety Director speak to the group on updates and potential JIBC partners. The zone was excited to here that the Fire and Safety division of the JIBC will be opening a campus in Kelowna by December 2005. Course’s that potentially will be offered include HazMat awareness, FSI-1, and Fire Officers courses. Glenn also talked about partnerships with organizations like NORD to cooperate in classroom and practical events. Glenn was proud to disclose that in the province of BC the JIBC has certified 150 Training officers to the new Evaluator standard, and that with this new protocol in place the JIBC has promised a 2 week turn around for exam evaluations received from BC Fire Dept’s, and the JIBC. Glenn also announced the new program director for the Maple Ridge campus Rory Thompson. There was discussion on the “College and University Act” and how tuition is not fairly balanced through out the province, stating that other institutions receive 70% funding by the government and 30% paid by the student while at the fire and safety division we are just the opposite. 30% supported and 70% out of your pocket. This will take considerable time and negotiations in order to get the same support as other post secondary curriculum.
All said and done the JIBC has move into a progressive approach to the interior and Zone 3 which has turned a lot of heads. We are happy as a Zone to see the new campus and support that the JIBC has delivered to our area, and look forward to the JIBC Kelowna campus opening day! The JIBC Campus opened March 3rd 2006 and I a very refreshing building with good clean classrooms and lots of parking.
Once the general meeting was completed, a presentation was given on Rapid intervention team roles, responsibilities and training. After lunch provided by Darren from Rocky Mt. Phoenix we put on our gear and had some fun in the Burn building, a very well established building with all the amenities for evaluation purposes. Doug and his team of Tech’s put on a great afternoon at no cost to the Zone. This was another successful event. Thanks to all that Attended! Although we had a good year in regards to training and sharing I would like to see more of zone 3 department’s getting involved. I will be trying to contact all the 38 departments in our zone for updated information after this conference in Prince George. See you all at the conference.


Larry Watkinson, Zone 3 Chair

Pres Sez

Date: 5/28/2006 9:23:42 PM     By: Bruce Dundas
Link:
Now that the 31st annual BCFTOA conference in Prince George is over we can all take a short rest (but not too long). Special thanks go to Dave McLeish and Earl Steele; for all their hard work; a job well done. We had few little glitches in the program but Dave and Earl took them all in stride and carried on to produce a good conference. Great job guys!



A special thanks to the BCFTOA executive that worked so hard in between conferences on your behalf; bringing you the most up to date news and keeping you all informed. At this years’ conference the major items of note were; the addition of Dave McLeish as Past Members representative to the executive and the addition of Randy Isfeld of William’s Lake Fire Department as BCFTOA Manufacturer's representative; these two positions should enable us to keep past members in touch with the BCFTOA and also help the executive with better social events at future conferences. The Manufacturer's rep. will be able to work directly with Manufacturers and perhaps include them into training sessions with product trials and demos.



We received endorsement from the BC Safety Council and the BC Fire Chiefs Association on the new Emergency Scene Traffic Control program (ESTC) and from the Fire Commissioner David Hodgins at the PG conference. We will be running a pilot program as soon as possible so stay tuned. The next item on the agenda will be working with the Duke Energy and the gas industry to develop a gas safety program for emergency responders. We have started the process for a Train the Trainer program for the “Basic Fire Fighter Program” and will be starting with delivery possibly in September. (See 2nd Vice Dave Palmer Langley Township for details)



We have a seat on and have been reporting directly to the Fire Service Liaison Group (FSLG) and the BC Fire Chief Association on all matters that relate to training and have been gaining some support on training changes. We will continue to support this group and work towards changes to enhance training for all fire fighters in BC.



Thank you all for your continuing support,

BCFTOA President

Bruce Dundas

Emergency Scene Traffic Control Course

Date: 5/10/2006 8:35:31 PM     By: Trent Shields
Link: http://www.bcftoa.com/public/estc.asp


The BC Fire Training Officer’s Association and the BC Safety Council are proud to announce an exciting new joint venture to train BC firefighters in Emergency Scene Traffic Control. The BCFTOA and the Safety Council have co-developed an Emergency Scene Traffic Control training program for BCFTOA Members and firefighters working within the Province of British Columbia. The Fire Chief’s Association of BC has given their support for the program and we have submitted it to Work Safe BC for their approval.


The Emergency Scene Traffic Control training program will be delivered by having Safety Council trained Fire Service Instructors deliver the program to firefighters at a local level. The BCFTOA will establish the qualifications for the instructors delivering the program and the candidates wishing to take the program. The BCFTOA, though host Fire Departments, will make the necessary arrangements for facilities and registration in all locations where the training for the Instructors and Candidates for the Program will take place. The Safety Council will train the instructors and develop and maintain a database of all certified candidates and instructors in the program. Certificates issued in this program will be good for five years from the date of certification.


There will be a $125.00 fee per FSI trained in the program and a $10.00 certificate/registration fee will apply for each student trained. All program materials are delivered on cd at $7.50/each.


This ground-breaking program is proudly endorsed by the BC Safety Council, the BC Fire Training Officer’s Association and the Fire Chief’s Association of BC.

Dave takes a new Job

Date: 4/19/2006 11:02:00 AM     By: Dave Hodgeson
Link:
FYI - Good news.

It is a pleasure to announce that Dave Ferguson is the successful
candidate for the Office of the Fire Commissioner position of Manager,
Stakeholder Relations. He will start in this position immediately.

Dave joined the OFC as an auxiliary Fire Service Advisor in April 2005.
He has extensive business and fire service experience. Given this
background,
Dave will be a valuable member of the OFC Team.

A bit about Dave:

* Member of a volunteer fire department for over 24 years,
eighteen
years as a senior officer
* Management background is in banking both with a chartered bank
and a
large Vancouver Island credit union
* Served in a number of roles including Branch Manager, Marketing
Manager and Manager, Investment Services
* Served on the National Board of Directors for Muscular Dystrophy
Canada
* Served on the Board of Directors of the Fire Chiefs' Association
of
British Columbia
* Involved in a number of community organizations including the
Chamber of Commerce, Kinsmen and Community Futures



Please join with me in welcoming Dave.

Regards,

E. David Hodgins, CEM
Assistant Deputy Minister
Fire Commissioner

E.David.Hodgins@gov.bc.ca

Office 250 387-5536
Cell 250 361-6183
Fax 250 356-9019

PSSG: "TOGETHER, OUR BUSINESS IS KEEPING B.C. SAFE"

Pres Sez

Date: 4/15/2006 10:55:05 PM     By: Bruce Dundas
Link:
The 2006 BCFTOA conference is almost here and Dave McGleish of Prince George FD and BCFTOA 1st vice Simon Grypma have been working extremely hard to meet your needs. I’m sure that they have things well in hand and I look forward to a great conference.

Your executive is working for you on several fronts and is currently in discussions with the Fire Academy to improve the evaluator process. We are very close to finalizing discussions and hope that the improvements mad will enhance current levels of training in all departments.

We have been working to try and get recognized training for Emergency Scene Traffic Control for Fire Fighters and hope to have something for our delegates by conference time. This is also a topic that is coming up on the BC Fire Chief agenda at their June conference in Penticton.

We still require a host for the 2007 conference so if you would like to have a opportunity to host one here is your chance.

See you all in PG

B Dundas

President BCFTOA