Volunteer fire department returns to Vancouver Island village after 4-month suspension
Residents of a village on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island can breathe a sigh of relief now that volunteer fire services have been reinstated in the community.
The Village of Zeballos announced its volunteer fire department had been re-activated in a statement Wednesday.
The volunteer fire department had temporarily suspended services in late May due to a lack of staff.
The suspension meant that over the past approximately four months, no response was to be expected if a fire occurred.
"The village would like to express [its] gratitude to the volunteers that put their names forward to commit to the support of this service," said the municipality in a statement Wednesday.
"Without you, the volunteers, Zeballos would have no fire department," the statement added.
Armin Grunert has been named the volunteer fire department's deputy fire chief, Ernie Smith was appointed captain and Erin Morin has taken on the role of risk management officer.
The municipality notes that volunteers are still welcome to join the department, with weekly practices held Wednesday nights at 7 p.m.
The village is asking residents to make sure they take precautions to avoid fires in the future.
Residents are encouraged to clean their chimneys, check their smoke alarms, and minimize fire hazards inside their homes and on their lawns.
"It's woodstove season, and as much as we appreciate our volunteer fire department, we hope to not have to send them to your house," reads the statement.
More information about the newly reinstated volunteer fire department is expected in the future, according to the village.
Zeballos council approved the reinstatement at a meeting on Tuesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.