Bowen Island Fire Department
788 Grafton Road
981 Artisan Lane (Mailing address)
Bowen Island, B.C. V0N 1G0
Tel: 604-947-9324 Fax: 604-947-0193
Brian Biddlecombe , Fire Chief – bbiddlecombe@bimbc.ca
Bob Clark, Deputy Fire Chief – bclark@bimbc.ca
Ian Thompson, Training Officer – ithompson@bimbc.ca
The Fire Department provides a comprehensive fire prevention, fire suppression, and first responder medical/rescue service, achieved through highly trained and equipped volunteer personnel. The department also enforces relevant legislation and regulations, such as the Fire Code and municipal bylaws.
While the probability of wildfire on Bowen is substantially lower when compared to the Interior of our province, the consequence of a large fire in our community would be very significant. As an example: in 2006, a 60-hectare wildfire resulted in 200 homes being evacuated on Galiano Island. With an ever-increasing number of homes being built in forested areas of our island, combined with cycles of drier, warmer summers, there is a need for all in our community to be aware of the risks associated with interface fires and what we can all do to minimize those risks.
In 2006, B.A. Blackwell & Associates were retained to assist Bowen Island and eight other municipalities to develop a Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The completed plan was presented to the public, Mayor and Council on May 22, 2007. The plan includes the probability and consequence of wildland fire, identification of hazardous fuel types, estimation of the risk of spot fires and measures to mitigate the risks through structure protection, emergency response, training and communication. Also presented was a report in regard to Managing Fire Risk in the Bowen Island Municipality.
For further information, please visit the B.C. Government's Ministry of Forests and Range: Protection Branch website at http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/protect/ for valuable resources, including the Home Owners Fire Smart Manual.
Emergency Social Services (ESS) on Bowen Island.
ESS provides short term assistance to British Columbians who are forced to leave their homes because of fire, floods, earthquakes or other emergencies. Assistance may include food, lodging, clothing, emotional support and family reunification services. ESS may also provide specialized services such as first aid, child minding, pet care and transportation.
Typically a reception center would be set up as a centre base for evacuees. This could be a school gym, Church or any other large building in the community that would be a safe place for folks to gather. On Bowen we have lots of choices that would meet this need . ESS is usually available for 72 hours. During these first 72 hours, evacuees should immediatley plan their next steps by contacting their insurance agents, families, or local non profit agencies.
ESS is based on volunteerism and is dependent on the willingness of individuals in the community to help plan for the well being of their individuals in the community to help plan for the wellbeing of their neighbours and fellow citizens in the event of a disaster. Although ESS is designed to provide services to individuals affected by large complex disasters or emergencies, ESS may also be provided during smaller emergencies; for example a single house fire or emergencies affecting 1 or 2 families ina community.
Our ESS team on Bowen has been working together for 6 - 7 years. We have apprx. 14 volunteers and try to meet once a month. New recruits are always more than welcome. For more information, you can call Reidun van Kervel at 604-947-2276.
