By Mark Squibb/April 21, 2022
Witless Bay Volunteer Fire Department liaison Lorna Yard gave an update on recent happenings at the department during last week’s council meeting, painting a picture of an exciting and productive fire hall.
First off, Yard said the department has been given the go-ahead from Eastern Health to resume full services.
“During the COVID pandemic, volunteer fire departments were placed on limited dispatch calls by Eastern Health to protect both members and the public,” said Yard. “Eastern Health recently contacted a number of volunteer fire departments, including Witless Bay, to see if they were prepared to go back to full service, including medical dispatch. And the supervisor of Eastern Health was notified that we are in a position to go back to full service.”
Back in March, council gave the department the green light to purchase 13 used sets of bunker gear.
“The fire department is extremely pleased with the quality of the suits,” said Yard. “They’ve all been cleaned and put into service. They actually included two free sets that only have small tears, so they have been sent to a tailor to be fixed and put into service. Also, included, at no extra charge, were some new boots and other equipment.”
Since November, the fire department has had ten new recruits, six who are currently in training and four who are still working through the interview process.
“This recent round of new recruits, and keep in mind the fire department weren’t actively recruiting or advertising, will bring the number of volunteer fire fighters in the department to its highest level in at least seven years, likely longer, but we only have the data for seven years,” said Yard.
The councillor, along with Fire Chief Jack Gatherall, hired by council in February, have designed a new logo for the fire department, which they hope to be unveil soon.
“It incorporates normal fire fighting imagery, as well as imagery unique to Witless Bay in the form of a whale tail in the centre,” said Yard, who said the design was created with input from the department.
Between January first and March 31, the department received 50 calls, putting them on track to received over 200 calls for the year.
The department has held several training sessions over the last few months, and even welcomed local Sparks and Brownies for a tour of the fire hall — their first community visitors since the beginning of the pandemic. They’re also resumed holding their meetings in person at the fire hall.
