It is my pleasure to submit the City of Chilliwack Fire Department's Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2009.
The Chilliwack Fire Department responded to over 2,307 calls for service in 2009; resulting in one fire fatality, 15 fire related injuries and fire losses totalling $5.1 million.
The department was able to connect with over 9,000 persons in fire prevention and life safety activities and events through its very proactive prevention programs. Education and prevention programs such as Juvenile Fire Setter, Fire Safety classes, Fire Extinguisher training, Chilliwack Safety Village, National Fire Prevention Week, Fire Hall Tours, Home Smoke Alarms, Fire and Emergency Preparedness are targeted to prevent fire and to educate the public on how to initially react if they do occur.
In 2009, the department’s training division focused on areas of firefighter safety and the teaching of new skills, as well as the maintenance of existing firefighting and rescue operations. The department’s training program is extensive, being responsible for the education of over 150 members, including both career and paid-on call members.
The department takes the lead in emergency preparedness in the community and trains City staff to manage large scale disasters while educating the general public on how to survive the early days should a disaster befall the community. Local volunteer support groups, such as the Chilliwack Radio Club, Emergency Social Services and the Chilliwack Search and Rescue organizations, are crucial to the planning and response to local emergencies.
As in the past, the Chilliwack Fire Department was actively involved in community events and in the support of local charities. The Firefighters Charitable Society made contributions to the B.C. Burn Fund and several local charities, as well as awarding one scholarship to a local secondary student. The Chilliwack Firefighters Education Fund also awarded nine post secondary bursaries during 2009.
The support and loyalty of our paid-on call members, comprising approximately 84% of our firefighting force, and the support of their families and employers have been essential to our success and we are very grateful for that support.
