BCPFFA News
Photo by Dave Harcus
For immediate release
Statement on the inclusion of the BC Professional Fire Fighters in the Vaccine Rollout
BC Professional Fire Fighters are committed to serving our communities and helping to keep British Columbians safe. With today’s announcement from the Ministry of Health, fire fighters across this province may continue serving their communities while knowing that they will soon be protected from the dangers that these environments present.
Advocating for the inclusion of BC fire fighters and first responder vaccinations in the early phases has been a priority of the BCPFFA since the onset of COVID-19 while respecting the ethical framework of vaccination which prioritizes the most vulnerable populations. The BCPFFA gratefully acknowledges the Fire Chief’s Association of BC (FCABC), IAFF affiliates, and various partners for their collaboration and collective efforts in ensuring frontline responders are protected.
With the immunization of fire fighters taking place between late March and early April, fire fighters will continue to support the essential service as first responders. Vaccination will prevent threats to emergency response, such as a reduced workforce that could negatively impact emergency operations and services to the community.
The BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association thanks Health Minister Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry for their hard work and continued efforts in stopping the spread of COVID 19.
Gord Ditchburn
President
BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association
MEDIA CONTACT
Nicole Clark, Director of Communications
P: 778.789.0820
E: communications@bcpffa.org
Caitlyn Younger
This week as part of our International Women’s Day series we hear from Caitlyn Younger, a fourth year fire fighter with Burnaby Firefighters L323. Caitlyn is the first graduate of Camp Ignite to become a fire fighter. Here she shares words of encouragement for anyone considering joining the fire service.
“For anyone considering a job in the fire service, there’s a few different things you should look at. Of course there are the physical aspects - so go to the gym, do those things to better yourself, get that cardio in to build your strength up. Make sure you have the mechanical aptitude and take the steps to make yourself more aware. That’s just part of the job to know how certain things work and go together. I would honestly say you can do anything if you just put your mind to it.”
2021 Photos by Dave Harcus.
Caitlyn Younger with her Father
Rolyn Potter, Captain, Vancouver Fire & Rescue Service
Photo by Dave Harcus
This week as part of our International Women’s Day series, we are proud to highlight Vancouver Local 18 Acting Captain Rolyn Potter. Rolyn is a dedicated member of Local 18 and also serves on a number of committees, including the Vancouver Fire Fighters’ Historical Society and the BCPFFA Women’s Advisory Committee.
“I’m not most people’s idea of a woman or a woman fire fighter. I’m not feminine and my gender identity and expression is complex. I think it’s important, particularly for young people, to see that this is another way of being in the world.”
Watch the video below as she reflects on her career and what she loves about fire fighting.
Rolyn Potter’s reflection on her career and what she loves about fire fighting
Delegation at the 2021 Legislative Conference with invited special guests from Government.
On Monday, March 8th, over 100 IAFF delegates from 53 affiliates gathered for the 10th Annual Robert E. Hall Legislative Conference / Virtual Educational Day to discuss important issues to fire fighters, primarily for the safety of our men and women who are on the frontlines each and every day. Guest speakers from government attended for a brief greeting. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Premier John Horgan, Interim Leader of the Official Opposition Shirley Bond, Minister of Labour Harry Bains, Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth, and MLA Mike Starchuk - our first fire fighter to ever serve in the office of the BC Legislature.
This year, our we are lobbying for improvements to cancer presumption and psychological safety in the workplace.
Cancer Presumption and Latency Periods
Mandatory Cancer Prevention Programs
Mandatory Psychological Safety in the Workplace
Primary Care Cancer Evaluations for Fire Fighters
Prevention and education is the key and our BCPFFA health & safety committee and Mental Health Task Force continue to seek for resources and best practices to share with the Fire Service.
The BCPFFA has partnered with First Responder Health in producing a video series on accessing a Directory for Occupationally Aware Clinicians Directory. To access the BCPFFA endorsed Directory for Occupationally Aware Clinicians visit firstresponderhealth.org.
Following the Educational Briefing we took time to honour our fallen with a special tribute video.
We took a moment to recognize “International Women’s Day”. This is a significant day for us all as we gather here to advocate and lobby for improvements to the fire service, improvements that encompass all of the women and men who proudly wear our uniform . We are incredibly fortunate to have a number of very progressive women committed to bettering not only the fire service, but bettering the experience for women in the fire service through dialogue on issues facing women in the fire service. The newly formed BCPFFA Women’s Advisory Committee are collaborating on issues that include training, health & safety, clothing & equipment, and workplace and employment issues.
About Robert E. Hall: We remember Brother Robert E. Hall on this day for his efforts in bringing our cancer lobbies to the floor of the Legislature. Rob, a Vancouver fire fighter, was a proud member of Local 18 and during his tenure, served the BCPFFA board for 10 years from 1998 to 2007 (2 as Vice President; and 8 as Secretary Treasurer). On October 31, 2005, with the Legislature Gallery full of fire fighters, 7 cancers were recognized by the BC Government. Sadly, on August, 27th of 2007, Robert E. Hall succumbed to Occupational Cancer. BC Fire Fighters will be forever grateful for his leadership and vision in working with the provincial government to recognize and improve fire fighters' health and safety. Since then, over the past decade and a half, 6 additional cancers have been added to the list, plus the return of the previously removed Heart Injury 2014 and Occupational Stress Injuries in 2018 for a total of 15 presumptive coverages. Brother Hall would be pleased with our success, but would also remind us that we have more work to do, and so we carry on in his honour.
Honouring our fallen is a tradition we uphold with great pride. The south lawns of the BC Legislature, where our monument stands, is a place for us to respect and remember. On March 8, 2021, we would have been gathering in Victoria to stand side by side to honour our 24 fallen members. For now, we will remember together, with a virtual tribute video.
We will be together again, when it is safe to do so.
Stanley E. Brook, Vancouver L18 - 10/13/2017
Kenneth M. Gill, Oak Bay L1856 - 03/29/2018
Thomas William,Haydon, Delta L1763 - 10/08/2018
Lloyd C. Mitchell, Kitimat L1304 - 03/06/2019
James B. Blundell Vancouver L18 - 03/31/2019
Richard A. Tingle, Burnaby L323 - 04/14/2019
Brian R. Helme, Richmond L1286 - 04/28/2019
Ron R. Renville, Vancouver L18 - 05/04/2019
Arthur P. Wick, Vancouver L18 - 05/20/2019
Allen L. McLeod, Vancouver L18- 05/31/2019
Ken J. Kinney, Burnaby L323 - 06/07/2019
William J. Robertson, Surrey L1271 - 06/30/2019
James G. Loseth, Kelowna L953 - 08/16/2019
G. Henry Threlfall, Richmond L128 - 09/27/2019
Joseph Kolar, Kelowna L953 - 10/31/2019
Kelly M. Mullin, Vancouver L18 - 11/01/2019
William A. Anderson, Vancouver L18 - 12/13/2019
Kenneth W. Swan, Vancouver L18 - 12/16/2019
Ronald A. Fyffe, Vancouver L18 - 01/20/2020
Robert A. Bruce, Burnaby L323 - 04/12/2020
Thomas Keith McMillan, Vancouver L18 - 05/21/2020
Stephen M. Letourneau, Vancouver L18 - 06/24/2020
David Rivett, Surrey L1271 - 07/16/2020
Brian A. Oxenbury, Vancouver L18 - 08/29/2020
In honour of International Women’s Day, the BCPPFA is celebrating women in the fire service by sharing their stories. Today we hear from Sheila Kirkwood, the first female career firefighter in British Columbia who served Whistler Fire Fighters for 29 years, making her one of Whistler’s longest-serving fire fighters.
What is the message you want to share with the next generation of female fire fighters?
You don’t have to be one of the boys to fit in on the job. It’s been my experience that the most effective teams include ideas from a wide perspective and life experience. In the end we just want to serve our communities in the best way we can.
What is a highlight of your career?
Thanks to a rapidly growing fire department I had the opportunity during my 30 year career to work my way through the ranks, from frontline firefighter, shift Captain, Rescue coordinator, Chief Training Officer to the top spot as Fire Chief. The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games was a highlight both personally and professionally in the role of Emergency Program Coordinator for the Resort Municipality of Whistler.
Sheila Kirkwood
Can you describe a challenge in your career and how you overcame it?
Early on I was well supported in my career internally but it never failed that if I was on training courses in the Lower-mainland or BC I would have to do a lot of reassuring that I was actually a frontline fire fighter. It was assumed I must work in dispatch or inspections. It was pretty much guaranteed that I was going to be singled out in class to answer questions or perform a demonstration. My way of dealing with it was to do my homework, pay attention, and be ready. I think that served me well throughout my career and gave me the opportunity to be apart of award winning Auto Extrication Competition teams. It also stressed the importance of creating supportive training environments where teams can have fun, get creative, make some mistakes and learn. The training ground is where to test someone’s mettle.
What is your message for International Women’s Day?
I’ve had the opportunity to work with a lot of talented female firefighters over my career and made some lifelong friendships. I’m heartened by how many women are choosing the fire service as a rewarding career. We are rising through the ranks, affecting change and there is no question that we belong.
In honour of International Women’s Day this Monday, the BCPFFA Women’s Advisory Committee will be highlighting women in the fire service throughout the month of March. From the first female fire fighter in BC, to a new recruit who graduated from Camp Ignite, tune in to hear from voices across the province who will be sharing their experiences in the fire service.
The Women’s Advisory Committee has a mandate to advise the BCPFFA on issues facing women in the fire service, including training, safety, equipment, and other workplace and employment issues. Their message to girls everywhere? You can be anything you want to be!
