Latest news with #volunteerfirefighters
CBC
3 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Crews battle wildfire in remote area of Cape Breton
Crews are battling a wildfire in a remote area of Cape Breton's Richmond County. The blaze started around 5 p.m. AT Thursday on Three Rivers Road in Framboise, about 66 kilometres southwest of Sydney, according to a news release from the Municipality of the County of Richmond. The fire is about 15 hectares in size and has crossed at least one roadway, the release says. No evacuation orders have been issued, but residents are being asked to remain vigilant. One old trailer, vacant for over 20 years, has been lost in the blaze. A residence has been soaked down as a precaution and another has a sprinkler system set up. 'They're making progress' Scott Tingley, manager of forest protection with the province's Natural Resources Department, said those two homes are the only ones in the vicinity of the fire, but there is no imminent threat to properties. He said there are 17 staff members from Natural Resources are on the scene, as well as rough 12 volunteer firefighters. "Crews were on site early so they're making progress," Tingley told CBC's Information Morning Nova Scotia. On Thursday evening, multiple volunteer fire departments fought the fire, but weren't able to contain it. Ground crews focused on extinguishing the blaze and saturating surrounding areas to reduce the risk of the wildfire spreading. Most of those crews left for the night, but were prepared to return if conditions worsened. Lois Landry, warden for the Municipality of the County of Richmond, said the area is quite rural and sparsely populated. She said cellphone service is not good, which is a concern when trying to communicate with emergency crews on the ground. "There's efforts afoot to try to improve that but it's times like this really where that lack of service is really significant," Landry said in an interview Friday morning. The province issued a fire ban for most of Nova Scotia on Thursday following several days of warm, sunny weather. There was a little reprieve from hot and dry conditions as rain fell overnight into Friday.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Wildfire in Richmond County, N.S., remains out of control
A forest fire in Richmond County, N.S., began on Thursday evening and remains out of control. The fire that started around 5 p.m. near Three Rivers Road in Framboise has grown over 15 hectares and has crossed at least one roadway. A 20-year-old vacant trailer in the area also burned down. Multiple volunteer fire departments arrived on site Thursday evening, but as of last night, no containment of the fire was achieved. There have been no evacuation orders at this time, but the municipality warns residents to remain alert. One residence has been soaked down as a precaution. The Department of Natural Resources ground crew is expected to resume operations Friday morning. Richmond County officials remind residents to monitor official emergency channels for updates, follow all instructions from emergency services and if emergency assistance is required to call 9-1-1. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CBS News
4 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Goodwill Fire Company in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, temporarily closes due to a lack of trained members
Shuttered and dark inside, the Goodwill Fire Company in Glenolden, Pennsylvania, sits empty on Wednesday. Darby Township officials say it is temporarily closed. "It's the pits!" Donald Kelley Jr. said. He lives nearby and just learned the news. "People need help. If they're going to need help, they are going to need help. Regardless of what the situation is," Kelley Jr. said. Officials told CBS News Philadelphia the station was placed "out of service" on Thursday following recommendations from the township fire chief, assistant fire marshal and others. In a statement, the township wrote in part: "The primary reason for the 'out of service' designation was the inability of the all-volunteer fire company to adequately respond to service calls with fully trained and certified operators and engineers with the fire apparatus in use at the station." "It takes guts for anyone to run into a burning — you can ask about the qualifications of it, but if they're willing to risk their lives to go in and save somebody else, I think that they're qualified," Dominic Vozzelli, from Glenolden, said. The temporary closure leaves the township with one firehouse now. Briarcliffe Fire Company disbanded a few years ago after racist comments were recorded during a Zoom call. "I think it's a shame. We're losing a bunch of fire companies. Just opening up our communities to disasters happening," Vozzelli said. Dan Assal said he is the interim president of Goodwill Fire Company, and was there when the engines were taken last week. "They do own the trucks, no doubt about it, and of course, typically the fire company gets no respect. They haven't for years," Assal said. When asked why he thinks this happened, he said: "I think it's a vendetta." Assal continued: "Because of the stuff that's been going on over the years. People aren't appreciated." Assal said he was not given an explanation from township officials as to why this all happened. He added the company is always looking for more volunteers. "I'd like to see the fire company restored for the safety of the neighborhood," Assal said. He was asked if he was told how the company can do that and responded: "They haven't said a thing." Upper Darby Township Fire confirms it has and continues to provide mutual aid support for the area. Darby Township said until more members are trained and certified, the company will remain out of service.
CBC
21-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Wellington Fire Department looking to recruit more volunteer firefighters
Social Sharing The Wellington Fire Department is looking to take on up to five new volunteer firefighters this week. Currently the department in southwestern P.E.I. has 30 people on its roster, and they're looking for more. Spokesperson Desmond Arsenault has been volunteering as a firefighter for 25 years, and said they're looking for fit and willing residents of the fire district. "We're looking for members of any age that's in good physical condition, that's willing to learn and want to help out the community." Applications are open until May 23. Arsenault said there are a few requirements for those looking to join the force. "There has to be the availability to attend the various events and functions required to the fire department. Now, there's no expectation that everybody has to attend all of the events, but we certainly want a high percentage if they can," he said. "Obviously there's going to be some changes to the procedures and guidelines, so members have to be aware of what to expect and how we will tackle various fires and emergencies that face us." No experience needed Arsenault said new members will be trained in-house, as well as going through some instruction in Charlottetown. P.E.I.'s next batch of firefighters getting ready to answer the call 23 days ago Duration 1:52 Firefighting recruits were putting their mettle to the test during the final weekend of field training in Charlottetown. About 55 trainees battled real flames and smoke during multiple fire scenarios. As CBC's Connor Lamont reports, they'll be certified as volunteers and answer calls along with their local departments across the Island. "Our own fire department puts on training — we try to do at least two a month — but in addition to that we do have an expectation that our members will become Level One certified through the P.E.I. Fire School in Charlottetown," he said. "Now that's a pretty intensive course. There's a pretty big book with several chapters that you have to read and do a knowledge test, and then there's two full weekends of hands-on training that you have to do in Charlottetown to show that you've understood the material that you studied and wrote the test on." With that Level One certification, firefighters can work across Canada, he said: "It's recognized by all the provinces, so it is quite an achievement." Arsenault said more new local members are needed during business hours. "The ideal situation would be to have members that work in the community during the day, because our members live throughout the community but they also work throughout the Island," he said. "We have some volunteer firefighters who are fishermen, so they're out on the water during the day. We have some that are truckers that are gone all across P.E.I., people who work in Summerside or Charlottetown... so that brings another challenge... to respond during business hours."
