Remembering Assistant Chief Forrest Owens, Central Saanich Fire Department

To all IAFF Affiliates, 

On behalf of Central Saanich L4428, it is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Assistant Chief Forrest Owens, IAFF 6th District Local 4428, Central Saanich, British Columbia. Brother Owens, 64, passed away on July 21, 2022 succumbing to occupational cancer. Forrest Owens was a Charter Member of Central Saanich Local 4428. 

A memorial service will be held on at 1:00 pm on Sunday, August 14, 2022 at Saanich Fairgrounds 1528 Stelly's Cross Road, Saanichton, British Columbia V8M 1S8

  • Procession & Muster Location: Stelly's Secondary School, 1627 Stelly's Cross Road - MAP

  • Parking will be at the muster location. Overflow parking TBD.

  • Muster Time: 11:00am; Procession Start: 12:00pm

  • Service Time: 1:00pm - 1528 Stelly's Cross Road - Saanich Fairgrounds RCMP Building

  • Formal Reception to follow at the Saanich Fairgrounds Main Building

 

Expressions of sympathy or condolences for the Local or the family can be sent to IAFF Local 4428, 1512 Keating Cross Road, Saanichton, BC V8M 1W9.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to 1512 Keating Cross Road, Saanichton, BC V8M 1W9 Canada. Central Saanich Volunteer Firefighters Association is establishing the Forrest Owens Memorial Scholarship. 

Nearby Accommodations: Elk Lake Inn & Suites 

Contacts:

Burn Camp Kick Off Site Notice 2023

Burn Camp Kick Off Site Notice for 2023

Each year Burn Camp Kick Off is generously hosted by an IAFF Local. Burn Camp 2023 will be a particularly special year as it marks the 30th anniversary of camp!

Submit your request to Coordinator Margot Merinsky burncamp@burnfund.org by August 31st, 2022. by August 31st, 2022.

Visit Burn Camp

 
 
 

CTV Vancouver

About Burn Camp - burnfund.org/camp-for-young-burn-survivors/

The Burn Fund hosts young burn survivors for one week of camp each July.  Over one thousand children from across B.C. between the ages of 6 to 18 have attended since 1994. The camp provides young burn survivors with an opportunity to share experiences with their peers.  The Burn Camp Committee works hard for many months planning for an exciting and memorable Burn Camp!  This year’s host for our Burn Camp are the friendly folks at Cheakamus Centre in Paradise Valley.

Campers and their counselors participate in group activities such as swimming, hiking, kayaking, rafting, waterskiing, skit night, and arts & crafts. They also receive valuable one-on-one support from junior counselors – themselves burn survivors – and from their counselors.  Doctors, nurses, medical therapists, adult burn survivors and professional fire fighters donate their time as counselors.

The camp is free for young burn survivors to attend. The cost to the Burn Fund for each camper to attend is approximately $2,900.

Thanks to the support of donors and sponsors, the Burn Fund covers the campers’ travel, accommodation and the cost of coordinating and operating the camp.

 

BCPFFA Support Pipes & Drums Campaign

The Surrey Fire Fighters Pipes & Drums Band (SFFP&D) band is raising funds to rebrand in colours and patterns that give meaning of tartans and to symbolize the IAFF and BCPFFA. On July 17, 2022 BCPFFA representatives presented the SFFP&D band with a $40,000 cheque and a copy of the Special Resolution.

 

Photo by Dave Harcus

 

Earlier this year, the SFFP&D band provided a budget presentation to the BCPFFA executive board to outfit the current members of the Surrey Fire Fighters’ Pipe and Drums Band with a capital campaign. The BCPFFA executive board was supportive and motioned for significant funding towards the campaign. Fifty three BCPFFA Local affiliates voted on a special resolution by referendum vote to support the SFFP&D band where it was successfully adopted. In addition, the BCPFFA supports the band with a 10 cent per capita specifically for the BC Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial travel needs.

Pipe Major Jeff Sim stated, “It’s off the charts… we are overwhelmed at the support of the membership in particular the BCPFFA leadership, the way you have accepted us and promoted our efforts not only now but over the last decade. We will strive to continue our commitment to provide one of the longest standing traditions whenever and where ever possible to our brothers and sisters of the IAFF.”

Piper (& BCPFFA Vice President Emeritus) Tim Baillie goes on to say, “There’s not enough words to thank the BCPFFA for helping us with this campaign. We are here to serve our brothers and sisters, families and communities.”

The SFFPD band is called on often to participate at a variety of events such as Line of Duty Death (LODD) memorials such as BC Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial, parades, and local community events.

President Gord Ditchburn says, “We are appreciative of the SFFP&D band and what they represent by continuing the long-standing tradition of coming together to provide a wonderful service to the families of our fallen at memorials services. They add a special effect as our men and women remember the fallen that I admire very much.”

The band is funded by hosting fundraisers or receiving contributions from organizations including the BCPFFA, Surrey Fire Fighters Local 1271 and many locals who request their services. The funds provide support for uniform, equipment and travel. Locals wishing to contribute funds at their own accord are welcomed to do so on an ongoing basis.

Secretary Treasurer Todd Schierling goes on to say, “Having worked with Pipe Major Jeff Sim on several occasions over the last 15 years on LODD services, community events and BCPFFA Biennial Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial, it has been an honour. We admire the showmanship these fine musicians bring to events attended by our families, members and communities. They are a dedicated group wishing to grow their team by welcoming any member willing to join. We appreciate their succession planning for the future..”

Share video with your members

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Share video with your members --

 

Video by Chris Mckee

 

ABOUT THE SFFP&D BAND: The Surrey Fire Fighters Pipes & Drums Band (SFFPD) is a non-profit highland bagpipe and drum band in British Columbia established in 2013 with its own constitution and by-laws. The band performs at joyous and solemn occasions around the province, the country, and North America – these musicians proudly keep firefighter traditions alive. The SFFPD band is (currently) composed of 24 pipers and 8 drummers of both active and retired firefighters from Coquitlam, Burnaby, Surrey, Delta, Vancouver, Richmond and the Township of Langley, including men and women of various ethnic backgrounds including civilians, police and military personnel. The 32 member band welcomes any band member from other BC Locals to join the team.

 
 

Occupational Exposure as a Fire Fighter Announcement by the World Health Organizations (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)

On June 30, 2022, the World Health Organizations (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), following an in-depth review of the current literature by 25 scientists from eight countries issued a statement summarizing their findings that classifies firefighting as carcinogenic to humans.

This decision changes a 2007 decision that firefighting was possibly carcinogenic to humans (group 2b) and will reclassify firefighting in the upcoming volume of the IARC monographs as carcinogenic to humans (group 1). Dr. Sara Jahnke, chair of the FCSN research advisory council says “The updating of the IARC monograph is a significant event for the fire service worldwide. The classification and comprehensive review of the existing literature will have far reaching impacts for cancer coverage, practice and policy. We are all indebted to the scientists who dedicated their time and talents to the report.”

The decision comes following the review of over 52 cohort and case control studies, 12 case reports, and seven metanalyses. Researchers examined more than 30 cohort studies from Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia. Their work in Lyon, France developed a clearer understanding that fires, building materials, personal protective equipment (PPE), firefighter roles and responsibilities have resulted in substantial changes in firefighter exposures over time. The report summarizes that firefighters’ complex occupational exposures are genotoxic, cause epigenetic changes, oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and modulate receptor-mediated effects that can lead to cancer. Dr. Judith Graber, Rutgers University researcher and working group member said “importantly, these findings apply to all firefighters - including any type of career or volunteer who have prepared for and taken part in fire control activities. So, reducing cancer risk is vital across the fire service”.

The work conducted by the working group scientists demonstrates that the firefighters’ exposures to known and suspected carcinogens like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, soot and asbestos provide the evidence needed to associate mesothelioma and bladder cancer as two of the highest risk to firefighters, Additionally, there is more limited evidence that colon, prostate, and testicular cancer and melanoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma are impacting firefighters due to occupational exposures. Dr. Jeff Burgess a working group invited specialist, and member of the FCSN Health advisory council said “The IARC designation that firefighting is carcinogenic is important. We need to use this determination to strengthen our efforts to prevent cancer in the fire service, continuing collaborative research to identify effective interventions.”

This summary provides an enormous amount of credibility to the message the FCSN has been delivering for over 10 years through education. It also validates the need for firefighters to pay closer attention to the controls and practices that have come from the research conducted across the world. Additionally it demonstrates that we need additional research to help find new ways to reduce the occupational exposures firefighters face.

The findings will be published in volume 132 of the IARC monographs later this year. You can view the summary at https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(22)00390-4 . The FCSN is grateful for our dedicated researchers that have spent countless hours working to understand the exposure that firefighters face and how we can work together to find solutions that are practical and work to reduce our risk for cancer.

Firefighters can find educational resources and more at the FCSN website.

https://firefightercancersupport.org/

Burn Fund's 44th (Hybrid) Annual General Meeting

Since 1978, the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund has built a powerful and recognizable mission, philosophy, and brand inspired by our community of fire fighters across BC. Our goal remains the same: to better the lives of burn survivors in BC and the Yukon and promote prevention to reduce the instances of these injuries from occurring. We are proud of our 44 - year history and how we’ve grown to what we are today.

The Burn Fund was innovative throughout an unprecedented 2 plus years of the COVID pandemic and adapted to deliver on virtual programs and fundraise through new campaigns such as the the Bright Nights 50:50.

We gratefully acknowledge the support in bringing the Burn Fund’s mission to life - our Board of Directors, staff team, fire fighter Locals, healthcare professionals, volunteers, counsellors, donors and sponsors. 

BC Children’s Hospital has received a boost of $1 million from the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund to support and care for young patients with burn injuries in the province.

President Gord Ditchburn says, “We are now back to in-person sessions, operating in Hybrid AGM and I am happy to announce that Burn Camp is back to an in-person camp!  And, it was an amazing morning today, as the Board of Directors made a decision earlier in the year to continue the journey in supporting burn survivors with a $1 Million gift, adding to our long standing commitment we made some forty plus years ago.

Executive Director, Jeff Sauve goes on to say, “Today is an exciting day as not only is it our AGM but this morning we were able to strengthen our relationship with BC Children’s Hospital Foundation with a commitment of $1 million dollars. These funds will allow Children’s Hospital to remain at the forefront of burn care for children.”

 

Keira’s Story

 

Secretary Treasurer Todd Schierling says, “ The support would not be possible without the tremendous support of our fire fighter Locals across the province. A huge Thank you to all Locals for your commitment year-round - through volunteering, promoting our campaigns, hosting fundraisers, and for your continued generosity at Burn Camp Kickoff and the Bright Nights VIP Party. 

The many burn survivor programs, events, and campaigns would not be possible without our dedicated Burn Fund family who are committed to caring. You are all making a positive difference in many people’s lives. A sincere thank you goes out to each and every one of you.

 

The Home Away Program floor at the Burn Fund Centre has been fair busy over the past year.

 

Board of Director Terms Expired:

  • 4 Directors by Re-Appointment: President Gord Ditchburn, Secretary Treasurer Todd Schierling, Hospital Liaison Rep Lois Budd and myself. 

  • 4 Directors were re-lected Elected to 2 year terms: Ray Boucher, Pat Barton, Kirk Corby, Umesh Lal.   

 
 

Federal Announcement for Support as Wildfire Season approaches in B.C.

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Natural Resources Canada

May 13, 2022, 14:15 ET

VANCOUVER, BC, May 13, 2022 /CNW/ - As wildfires become more common and more extreme, the Government of Canada is focused on keeping people safe while strengthening Canada's long-term response.

Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources; the Honourable Bill Blair, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness; and the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, spoke about steps taken so far to support communities hit by wildfires and new measures for this year's fire season and for seasons to come. 

The ministers were joined by the Honourable Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General; the First Nations Emergency Services Society; the First Nations Health Council; the First Nations Leadership Council; and Bryan May, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence, as well as representatives from Squamish Nation and Tsleil-Waututh Nation.

Support for communities affected by last season's wildfires, including:

  • Approximately $416 million in federal funding through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) program for response and rebuild costs associated with the 2021 wildfires in British Columbia, including Lytton.

  • $24 million in recovery funding for Lytton First Nation, including for 39 interim housing units.

  • In addition, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) provides funding to support First Nations across the country to prepare for, prevent and mitigate emergency events, including wildfire. In 2021–22, ISC provided $17.5 million to support this work.

  • Response in 2021 to 14 requests from British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario for emergency support on wildfires, including the deployment of Canadian Armed Forces personnel and resources for evacuations and firefighting.

Next steps for the 2022 season on beyond, including:

  • $516 million through Budget 2022 for communities across the country to:

    • train 1,000 additional firefighters and incorporate Indigenous traditional knowledge in fire management

    • help provinces, territories and First Nations communities buy firefighting equipment

    • develop a new wildfire monitoring satellite system

  • Over $8.4 million in 2022 through the First Nations Emergency Services Society to support emergency planning, preparedness and response in First Nations communities in British Columbia

  • A commitment to a June 10 meeting of the Joint Committee to Address Extreme Weather and Climate Resilience

The Ministers were joined by officials from NRCan, as well as members of the First Nations Emergency Services Society. Current projections indicate that this could be a challenging summer for wildfires in parts of the country. Forecasts for warm, dry weather indicate the potential for increased fire activity across much of Canada. NRCan publicly shares forecasting for the fire season with full transparency regarding the uncertainty inherent in these projections.

Since 2019, we have made significant investments into the mitigation and prevention of wildfire events and the recovery from them. These include $61 million through the Emergency Management Assistance Program, which goes directly to communities in British Columbia, and $7 million in specific FireSmart Funding to support wildfire risk reduction.

Canada is currently developing its first National Adaptation Strategy, working with provincial, territorial and municipal governments, Indigenous peoples and other key partners, to make communities safer and more resilient. Public consultation on the National Adaptation Strategy will launch soon, with a targeted release of the strategy by fall 2022.

The Government of Canada is committed to keeping all Canadians safe as all orders of government work together to prepare for the 2022 wildfire season.

Quotes

"We have seen the devastating effects wildfires and natural disasters can have on Canadians and their communities, and the Government of Canada is here to support those Canadians and those communities. We recognize the importance of protecting our communities in the face of ever-changing threats, many of them increased by climate change. Preventive measures will help increase our resilience."

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of Natural Resources

"Last year, extreme weather devastated British Columbia, taking lives, destroying communities and the livelihoods of so many. With the changing climate, all orders of government and emergency management partners need to take strong action to prepare for future emergencies, including wildfires. We must adapt to this changing reality and build up our collective preparedness and response capacity. The Government of Canada is unwavering in our commitment to support Canadians as we build resiliency to the threats that exist right across the country."

The Honourable Bill Blair
President of the Queen's Privy Council and Minister of Emergency Preparedness

"Climate change is here, it's real, and we need to push together more than ever to protect our communities, our forests and wildlife and our food supply from longer and hotter summer months. We must recognize First Nation leaders and organizations for the care and dedication focused on their communities as we continue to advance emergency response measures in the short term and the long term. Investments from Budget 2022 are an important step to placing Indigenous knowledge at the forefront of emergency management while we continue to our work on the path to reconciliation."

The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario

"In the face of climate disasters, no community can be left behind. While we work to reduce pollution and slow down the rate of climate change, we must adapt and prepare for its impacts. This is why our government is developing the first ever National Adaptation Strategy — to make sure we have the tools needed to build a more climate-ready Canada."

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada

"In many ways, British Columbia is on the front lines of climate change in Canada. It's clear that we all need to do more to keep our communities safe and prepared for future wildfire seasons. We have made significant new investments to better protect people and communities against future climate disasters. We're grateful for the Government of Canada's support as we continue improving our mitigative infrastructure, collective preparedness and response."

The Honourable Mike Farnworth
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, British Columbia

"In British Columbia, wildfires are becoming more severe as a result of climate change. I had the chance to visit some of the BCWS fire camps in 2021 and saw first-hand how devastating wildfires can be for people and their communities. We are transforming the BC Wildfire Service into a proactive, year-around service, and we are working to help people on the ground better prepare for, and recover from, future wildfires. This investment by the Government of Canada will help with wildfire mitigation, response, monitoring and, most importantly, keeping people safe." 

The Honourable Katrine Conroy
Minister of Forests, British Columbia

Quick facts

  • In the last five years, the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangement has contributed over $580 million to provinces and territories, and has committed an additional $693 million, to assist with the response and recovery costs associated with wildfires.

  • The following amounts have been paid out so far:
    Paid to date:

    • Saskatchewan: $6,892,598

      • 2017 Wildfires, $6,892,598

    • Alberta: $323,164,211

      • 2016 Wildfires (Fort McMurray), $307,000,000

      • 2019 Wildfires, $16,164,211

    • British Columbia: $257,860,792

      • 2017 July Wildfires, $191,910,549

      • 2018 Wildfire, $65,950,243

    • Grand Total: $587,917,601

  • Budget 2022 laid out $24.7 million over five years, including $5.4 million dedicated to establishing a Privy Council secretariat to support the Minister of Emergency Preparedness and to enhance federal response coordination.

  • Indigenous Services Canada's Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP) reimburses First Nations, provinces and territories and third-party emergency management providers 100 percent of eligible response and recovery costs, including evacuation costs.

  • A request for federal assistance (RFA) is how a province or territory formally requests support from the federal government in their emergency response efforts. The following wildfire-related RFAs were received in 2021:

    • Ontario submitted two RFAs for wildfire support in Northwestern Ontario:

      • July 11 to September 12, 2021: the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) provided airlift evacuation support for the residents of Poplar Hill First Nation and Deer Lake First Nation.

      • July 19 to August 27, 2021: CAF Rangers were deployed to support host communities with wildfire accommodations and social services to the Nishnawbe Aski Nation and local municipalities.

    • Manitoba submitted two RFAs for wildfires:

      • July 14 to August 10, 2021: CAF firefighters provided support in the eastern, western and northern regions.

      • This request was formally extended from August 10 to August 24, 2021.

    • British Columbia submitted nine RFAs:

      • July 14 to August 30, 2021: the CAF provided air lift evacuation support to Anaheim Lake; July 31 to August 30, 2021, and August 16 to August 30, 2021: this support was formally extended (3 RFAs).

        • July 5, 2021 to July 19, 2021: the CAF provided air assistance to the Village of Lytton and rapidly spread to the wildland north of Lytton; this assistance was formally extended from July 18 to August 30, 2021, July 31 to August 30, 2021 and August 16 to August 30, 2021 (4 RFAs).

        • July 31 to August 30, 2021: the CAF provided wildfire operations support to BC wildfire hotspots over 240,000 hectares of BC landscape; from August 30 to September 5, 2021, this support was formally extended (2 RFAs).

    • Federally, an additional RFA was received for facility assistance. From 15 August to 26 August 2021, the CAF provided the RCMP with accommodations at the Vernon Cadet Camp for RCMP members engaged in law enforcement in areas impacted by wildfires.

  • FPT partners are working together under the auspices of the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers to implement the Canadian Wildland Fire Strategy to enable national wildfire resilience.

  • Current information on national fire conditions is available publicly at all times through NRCan's Canadian Wildland Fire Information System. Additionally, during the fire season, the Canadian Forest Service supports emergency and fire management agencies through the development of situation reports (fire weather forecasts, situational awareness) and the delivery of fire growth and behaviour models.

  • The Government of Canada, through Environment and Climate Change Canada, is committed to providing support to all our partners by supplying weather information, including detailed precipitation and wind forecasts, smoke dispersion predictions and air quality forecasts. Access the latest weather information with weather.gc.ca.

Associated links

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada