For the 12th year, firefighters will be providing information to BC Ferries’ passengers heading to the Southern Gulf Islands about fire safety and the fire ban.

In addition to the old-school firetruck, BC Ferries will be making special public service announcements on board ships that serve the northern and southern areas of Vancouver Island as the risk of wildfire increases due to dry conditions.

 

BC Ferries says they are asking travellers and residents to be extremely cautious with cigarette butts, barbecues and all other heat-producing items.

According to police, 29-year-old Amber Lynn Sills stole a the Fire Rescue truck that happened to be out on a call on Avenue B. She crashed into a Fort Pierce Police patrol SUV. The officer was just getting out of the SUV at the time of the crash.  

There was a patient in the Fire Rescue vehicle. A second vehicle had to come to the scene to take the patient.

Time is running out for preserving the yellow-painted firehouse with red bay doors, built in 1910.  

The Mayor’s Budget Review Committee on Monday approved spending $2.6 million to purchase the property where the empty firehouse stands, which would enable the city to extend Forest Street in a straight shot across Riverside Avenue toward the St. Johns River.

The City Council will take up the measure next. If the city follows through, the extension of Forest Street would result in demolition of the old firehouse unless an investor comes forward who is willing to move the old building somewhere else.

Monday night, the city council held a work session to talk through a new site for the building. Previously, council members worked for the Flythe property on Georgia Ave. but that was recently tabled.  

Now, they’re looking at the Clay St. Property, next to the SRP Credit Union on Martintown Rd. Ultimately, the council wants the new fire station to be moved from Buena Vista Ave. to a location farther up the hill.

Mayor Bob Pettit says doing so will be best for the safety of the community. “It’s on a major artery and the response time, and the coverage area would be much better than what we have now to a large portion of the city.”