Firefighters in Charlie Lake and Moberly Lake will receive safer equipment after the transfers of funds for three purchases were approved by the Peace River Regional District’s rural budget committee.
The rural budgets administration committee met on August 21 and unanimously passed the recommendations to improve firefighters’ safety in the two smaller communities.
Charlie Lake’s fire department will receive new bunker gear and self-contained breathing apparatuses, now that the committee has approved the transfer of cash. Every member of the department will receive a new set of bunker gear, this gear protects firefighters from the extreme heat and smoke they face in blazes.
Prior to 2021, gear manufacturers included a chemical known as PFAS. It protected the gear and prevented it from being stained or damaged, however, district staff said that despite WorkSafe B.C. not banning the chemical yet, growing evidence points towards long-term health consequences for people who interact with PFAS.
“PFAS has come under increasing scrutiny due to growing evidence linking them to long-term health risks, including certain cancers, liver and kidney issues, immune system effects, and other serious conditions,” staff’s report for the rural budget committee said.
Complete sets will include a coat, pants, suspenders, and moisture barriers, and will cost $5,000 each, according to the report.
The second item approved by the committee was brought forth by the Director Brad Sperling, who represents Electoral Area C, which includes Charlie Lake.
Firefighters in the community will also receive new respirators, called self-contained breathing apparatuses, in a move the director told the committee was to ensure the safety of these emergency workers.
District staff said the department, which has 40 firefighters, is largely composed of paid-on-call firefighters, meaning they do not have full time positions, and can only access one set of gear.
Charlie Lake’s current equipment is aged out, and providing both upgrades will prioritize health and safety, which Sperling said was his main concern – though, he noted providing the respirators this year, albeit unexpectedly, will allow the committee to decrease next year’s budget. The electoral area will use their Peace River Agreement funds to cover both gear upgrades.
It is expected to cost $200,000 for the entire department to receive new bunker gear and $450,000 for the respirators, which will protect firefighters’ lungs from damage by allowing them to inhale the clean air strapped to their back.
The committee also approved Moberly Lake Rural Fire to repair a command vehicle with a blown engine – repairs are expected to cost $14,432, but staff asked for, and the committee approved, $17,500 to ensure the rural fire department has a contingency fund for the work.
District staff said they are currently looking for a replacement, and hope to purchase a new squad vehicle for Moberly Lake next year.
