Meet Benji Burn Fund Stress Intervention Dog

Video by Cam and Kim Osbourne

Meet Benji Burn Fund Stress Intervention Dog

Introducing Benji! We are thrilled to introduce our most popular new team member. A yellow Labrador, Benji is an Operational Stress Intervention Dog who can sense when those around him are anxious or worried and intuitively helps them calm down.

Benji was born into the BC & Alberta Guide Dogs Program on November 15, 2018. He spent 20 months in the Puppy Training Program before heading into advanced training with VICD Service Dogs as part of a new program which trains Operational Stress Intervention (OSI) Dogs.

Meet Benji Burn Fund Stress Intervention Dog

Benji will be supporting burn survivors and their families by visiting guests at the Burn Fund Centre. He will also be attending all of our Burn Camp programs.

A special thank you to VICD Service Dogs for our new family member and to Cameron and Kimberley Osborne for this fantastic video!

Join us in giving Benji a warm welcome!

Dog trained in helping survivors reduce stress joins B.C. Burn Fund Centre

VANCOUVER - A new four-legged staff member is making a difference at B.C.'s Burn Fund Centre by helping survivors and their families with stress. Benji, a yellow lab, recently completed 20 months of training as an operational stress intervention dog. The three-year-old pup also helps survivors in their healing process with his calming presence. "They're under a great deal of stress," Burn Fund Centre's Peter Hansen told CTV News Vancouver. "They find great comfort in Benji, being able to just pet him, touch him, even take him for walks." Hansen said some guests stay for extended periods of time, with a year being the longest they've had. He's there almost every day with Benji. "He's trained to recognize people that are under stress," Hansen said. "He recognizes that and on my direction or on his own, will go up and put his chin on your leg." Hansen said Benji will also do what they call an "up," and put his paws onto a person's lap and will stay there until he's commanded to leave. If someone is particularly distressed or crying, Hansen said Benji will give them kisses "just to distract them away from what they're feeling." "While in training, it was clear that Benji was destined to become an operational stress intervention dog because of his friendly nature, intelligence and ability to pick up on how his human friends are feeling," said Mike Annan, executive director of VICD Service Dogs, in a news release. In the future, Benji will also attend camps put on by the Burn Fund for kids and teens. With files from CTV News Vancouver's Nafeesa Karim

Source: CTV Vancouver

PARTNERSHIP: We are very fortunate to have a strong partnership with BC & Alberta Guide Dogs and VICD Service Dogs who gifted two Stress Intervention Dogs. The first being “Ferus” (black lab) who lives with Steve Farina (BCPFFA Vice President & Coquitlam Fire Captain), who has been a strong advocate for mental health for fire fighters, and was also the conduit in bringing our second dog “Benji” (yellow lab) to the Burn Fund, who is handled by Peter Hansen (HomeAway Coordinator, Retired Captain from North Vancovuer District Fire Department).

 
 

The magic of Bright Nights in Stanley Park Returns.

For immediate release

The magic of Bright Nights in Stanley Park Returns. Setup is currently underway for Bright Nights in Stanley Park

Vancouver, BC – Fire fighters and Vancouver Park Board staff are masquerading as elves early this festive season to create a winter wonderland. The 24th annual Bright Nights in Stanley Park opens on November 26 with the Christmas train rolling until January 2, 2022.

Dedicated fire fighters who volunteer their time while off-duty have been eager to return to the park to transform the plaza into a twinkling winter escape, while the Park Board team have been dreaming up an enchanting train ride. Together they are currently hard at work to create the special displays.

“We are thrilled to return to Stanley Park to create a magical experience that families across the Lower Mainland can enjoy. Bright Nights is an event that our burn survivor and fire fighter community look forward to every year and we can’t wait to welcome the public back to the event,” says Ray Boucher, Vice President, BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.

Bright Nights in Stanley Park shifted to an online virtual tour last year due to COVID-19 restrictions. With new safety measures in place, guests can once again experience Bright Nights in person with a scaled-back light display in the plaza and a festive train ride.

Also returning this year is the Bright Nights 50/50, with an even bigger potential jackpot of $1 million dollars. The raffle was created last year and reached an incredible jackpot of $525,660 thanks to the generosity of the public. Tickets for the Bright Nights 50/50 go on sale on November 18 with all proceeds supporting Burn Fund programs.

Online tickets for Bright Nights in Stanley Park are now available for purchase. Due to capacity restrictions, passengers must board the train in their specified time slot. Although proof of vaccination is not required at this time, masks are recommended. The train has been fitted with plexiglass dividers between the benches.

Bright Nights is the Burn Fund’s largest annual fundraising event and is a partnership between the Vancouver Park Board and the Burn Fund. The Park Board has donated more than $1.5 million to the Burn Fund since the event partnership began in 1998.

MEDIA CONTACT

Nicole Clark, Director of Communications

P: 604.436.5617

E: communications@burnfund.org

 
 
 

BCGEU Gives Impressive Donation

We are honoured to be the recipients of a $50,000 gift from members of the BC Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU).

This gift is a testament to the Burn Fund's very own Home Away Program, which was able to support a BCGEU member who experienced a serious burn injury this Summer. The Home Away Program is a place of safety and sanctuary for burn survivors, and their families, during the most difficult of times. We are truly grateful for every dollar donated by our community so we are able to continue this vital work. Thank you BCGEU members!

Acting Executive Director Kirstie McRae was moved by the donation gift, “I see first hand within our mission delivery, listening to survivor stories, how they are being supported and how resilient they are. We could not do this without community support - thank you BCGEU!”.

Secretary Treasurer Todd Schierling goes on to say, “This is a significant contribution that will greatly benefit survivors on their journey to recovery. We are grateful to the BCGEU.”

“On behalf of the BCPFF Burn Fund, a very heartfelt thank you to both the leadership of the BCGEU and membership for their incredible donation that will serve to support survivors while staying at the Burn Fund Home Away Centre’ — Gord Ditchburn (President).

From Left to Right: BCPFFA President Gord Ditchburn; BCGEU Treasurer Paul Finch, Acting Executive Director Kirstie McRae; BCPFFA Secretary Treasurer Todd Schierling

The HomeAway accommodation service was created by the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund to fulfill an unmet need. The Centre provides 8 short-term accommodations—a home away from home, for British Columbians needing to travel to Vancouver under emergency circumstances for medical treatment due to burn and major trauma injuries, patients in discharge transition or returning for follow up treatment.  The suites include a kitchenette and there is also a communal full service family kitchen for meal preparation.  Guests will find other comforts of home provided such as a family living room, library/study and outdoor decks.

BC Professional Fire Fighters are fired up for the CIBC Run for the Cure

BC Professional Fire Fighters are fired up for the CIBC Run for the Cure

Vancouver, BC – This Sunday, October 3, BC Professional Fire Fighters are Fired Up for CIBC Run for the Cure in a virtual experience. A team of 20 women fire fighters from across BC will be outfitted in their full turnout gear - an additional 50 lbs of equipment - to participate in the CIBC Run for the Cure. To date, this year they have collectively raised more than $5,000. 

“Fire fighter occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths in the fire service according to The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). Bringing awareness and raising funds for breast cancer research is critically important, and specifically to  fire fighters both women and men,” says Gord Ditchburn, President of the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association (BCPFFA). 

In 2017, breast cancer was added as a WorkSafeBC occupational disease by the BC Government which affects all fire fighters, particularly, female fire fighters. The BCPFFA continues to urge the government to include other cancers pertinent to female fire fighters to the presumptive cancer list as more scientific research emerges. 

“On December 10th 2019 I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. In 2020 I conquered it during the pandemic! I am grateful for my successful recovery and want to pass it forward and help other women beat this,” says Jennifer Dawkins, a 21-year-fire fighter with Vancouver Fire & Rescue and Local 18.

Bringing increased public awareness to occupational cancer in the fire service helps to generate greater legislative support for states and provinces to establish presumptive disabilities for all cancers affecting fire fighters. 

Breast cancer continues to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian women. With this disease touching the lives of so many families every day, the CIBC Run for the Cure gives families, friends and supporters the opportunity to join together to honour and celebrate their loved ones, and make a real difference. 

To Support our BC Fire Fighter Sisters, Donate.

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MEDIA CONTACT

Gord Ditchburn

BCPFFA President 

E: gord@bcpffa.org 

C: 604.916.7110

ABOUT THE BCPFFA: 

Established in 1929, the British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters’ Association (BCPFFA) is an organization of 53 locals who represent over 4000 professional men and women fire fighters in BC, including the Yukon. The BCPFFA and its 53 are affiliates of the International Association of Fire Fighters. The BCPFFA is a service provider for its affiliates offering training and education in areas of provincial legislation, occupational health and safety, Worksafe advocacy, financial assistance, bargaining, labour law, and advocacy for best practices in both public safety and fire fighter safety.


National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30th this year marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. It is a time for reflection and a time to come together in the spirit of reconciliation, and to honour those who have been impacted by Canada’s residential school system.

We encourage everyone to wear an orange shirt during the week of September 27, to take time to participate in the many initiatives happening across the province and stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities across Canada.

To all BC Emergency Frontline Workers

To all BC Emergency Frontline Workers, 

To all of our fire fighters, paramedics and first responders on the frontlines during these past few days, working non-stop to support patients and communities through not only this strenuous heat wave, but through a pre-hospital care system that is clearly failing, THANK YOU!! Thank you for everything that you are doing to make life better for others, these are extremely hard days. 

Over the past few days, fire fighters across this province have faced an enormous wave of medical calls, far greater than we’ve seen in recent memory and coupled with fire responses we have seen our resources severely tested. Sadly, we have witnessed too many negative outcomes for those relying on our pre-hospital care system, the staggering amounts of call volume and outrageous wait times, people unable to access 911 call centres, and a dire shortage of ambulance units. Fire fighters, our sisters and brothers with CUPE 873 (paramedics and dispatchers) and all first responders are facing incredible odds in responding to the needs of the public. 

The pre-hospital care system and response of first responders is predicated on a quick response and quick relief by higher trained paramedics who can then further treat and transport necessary patients to the appropriate medical facilities. These past few days with the increase in heat related incidents, our crews are finding themselves more often waiting lengthy periods while awaiting a delayed ambulance response, creating time delays in response to other emergent needs. What we’re seeing today with calls going unanswered, lengthy delays in response due to triage determination which further delays response by fire fighters, and compounded by substantial delayed response from paramedics who have been stretched beyond their capacity is a system completely shattered. 

On behalf of not only all first responders but the public as well, we would like to know what is the plan from BCEHS to alleviate not only the current situation we find ourselves in, but the long term strategy for the entire province. The public is deserving of a first class pre-hospital care model, certainly not what we are experiencing today. All first responders would like to know how we are to support the citizens and communities we serve moving forward, for not only when we experience the next mini-disaster, but for the long term.

This has become all too common for the public to witness significant delays when calling for an emergency response to a medical incident. Numerous stakeholders have been calling on the government to provide positive change that reflects the needs of both the patient and community in delivering timely services, a service model that includes first responders, paramedics and hospital staff. 

I have contacted our various stakeholders about this ongoing issue and we are aggressively working towards solutions to fix the problem. The BCPFFA EMS committee and executive board will continue working on these issues as we identified during the convention and strive to keep you up to date as quickly as possible. Thanks for your ongoing efforts in keeping our communities safe. 

Fraternally, 

Gord Ditchburn

President

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