NANOOSE BAY — Candidly declaring prior structural fire and rescue drills were not realistic, the deputy chief of Nanoose Bay Fire Department (NBFD) is excited about what they have to train with now.
Completed and in use since early this year, NBFD and Lantzville Fire Rescue are regularly benefiting from a two-storey customizable sea can structure located at the NBFD hall on Nanoose Rd.
“It was something that both of our communities needed—the training that we can do in this building now, we’re not playing make-believe anymore, we can train to a real scenario,” NBFD deputy fire chief Denis Holme told NanaimoNewsNOW.
Replicated smoke and the ability to remove walls from rooms are key features, he said.
RDN and firefighters on hand for a Monday, July 27 ribbon-cutting at Nanoose Bay Fire Department. (Image Credit: Regional District of Nanaimo)
The two-storey building surrounded by windows includes stairs, a balcony, and an attic that firefighters can breach.
Monday night practice sessions are more dynamic and impactful now, Holme said.
“A firefighter will go into that building, and last week when they turned right, there was an open space, and now they turn right there’s a wall. The ability to change it up and keep people on their toes is incredible, it’s a game-changer.”
Lantzville members have access to the structure for training purposes on Thursday nights, while Holme noted the two departments recently started doing joint rescue sessions on site as well.
Funding for the training centre comes from an $80,000 contribution from the B.C. government’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, which the Regional District of Nanaimo used to meet provincial standards for structural firefighting.
“There are times that we need to do a rescue from a second floor, and we have that ability to train for that now,” Holme said.
In addition, Qualicum Beach Fire Rescue received $120,000 as part of the same grant to fund live fire training props at its department, which is also used by mutual aid partners Coombs-Hilliers and the Dashwood fire departments.
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