Several people have asked about how we respond when our neighbouring island has a fire.
First off, when Penelakut Fire Department gets an emergency page from Fire Dispatch for a structure fire or a bush fire, the TIVFD gets an alert page with the same information about 30 seconds later. Same goes for Thetis Island…Penelakut is immediately informed via Fire Dispatch. So, we know when they know.
The second thing that happens is our crew is advised to be on stand-by at their homes. This is a “heads-up” that more information will be coming. An Officer then calls one of our community “Look-See” observers that live along the coast facing Penelakut. They take a Quick Look to tell us the wind direction, type of smoke and if flames are visible. In this instance, Tom and Leslie Milliken were invaluable for the first eyes-on report. The Officer in Charge then informs the Structure Protection Unit Team Leader or designate that an active fire is on Penelakut and to stand by in case deployment is necessary to protect Thetis structures from falling embers.
We got the Fire Dispatch page at 18:36 hrs on Thursday, seconds after the Penelakut page. The Penelakut Fire Chief was on scene for a site size-up at 18:41. The Penelakut Fire Department then asked Fire Dispatch to ask for assistance from Thetis Island and Chemainus Fire Departments. The fire had spread from the initial 2 units involved at 18:36 to 5 units by 18:41 hrs.
Thetis Island then asked for a general page for all members to report to Central Hall, with Engine 2 from Pilkey Hall. Because our members had already had a heads-up, there was a rapid response to the hall. The Thetis Fire Chief then contacted our Authority Having Jurisdiction, the Thetis Island Improvement District, for permission for some equipment and personnel to travel outside of our fire service area to assist. This permission must be in place before we leave the island, and there must be adequate equipment and personnel on standby at Central Hall to respond to any Thetis emergencies at the same time. The Interim SPU Team Leader, Bill Golley, was tasked with travelling to Foster Point to check out the state of ember-fall and wind direction and fortunately the wind had died down by then and there was no danger to structures on Thetis Island. We were able to obtain TIID permission and divided our team into a Penelakut Tactical Team and the Thetis stand-by team. Four members were tasked to take Engine 1 over on the ferry as well as the Command pickup. Nine members, including two Auxiliary members, stayed on stand-by at Central Hall with the Rescue, Engine 2 and the Tender (which can operate as a pumper with its deck pump). Dispatch and communications with the ferry crew allowed for rapid deployment.
The Penelakut Fire Chief asked both Chemainus FD and Thetis FD to stand down at 19:43 and all members returned to the fire hall. At 23:14 the TIVFD was requested to send over a Thermal Imaging Camera and Capt. Dave Tarris and Sr. FF Johnny Cullen Keidann were deployed to go across by boat to assist with checking for hot spots and other fire assistance. They returned at 01:00 hrs.
We are saddened by the loss of homes, vehicles and belongings by the several families involved. There were no major injuries fortunately, and the Cowichan Valley is coming together to assist financially with the families.
If you wish to donate funds, there is a Go Fund Me opportunity, and if you don’t want to use that platform, the TIVFD is collecting money to help our neighbours out.
Fire Chief J. Caldbeck
Thetis Island Vol. Fire Dept.