A vehicle fire started by arson, an imminent childbirth, a major windstorm and a pedestrian fatality were among the 93 calls to the Gibsons and District Volunteer Fire Department in the last three months of 2024. That’s up from 69 calls for service over the same period the previous year.
Overall in 2024, the department received 381 callouts, which is up from 326 in 2023, but down from 407 in 2022. “Call volume is expected to rise over the next few years,” said fire chief Rob Michael’s quarterly report to Gibsons committee of the whole, held Jan. 21.
The department lost two members last quarter, both moving away from the Coast. As 2025 starts, they expect 10 more members to join the department, but it takes nearly two years to fully train new firefighters.
At the volunteer appreciation dinner last quarter, firefighter Duane Hogeberg was among the honourees as he received the B.C. Long Service Medal in recognition of 25 years of service.
Noting that downed wires had the highest number of callouts (the Nov. 4 windstorm among others, fell within the quarter), Coun. David Croal asked if the fire department is compensated for their time on such calls. Michael and Mayor Silas White replied that they are not compensated with White noting that the SCRD is probably bringing forward a motion this year “to recover some funds from the increasing callouts that are due to other agencies.”
Michael also recognized in his report the nearly $2.3 million legacy donation from Doreen and Duncan Macadam for Gibsons fire department apparatus and equipment. “This thoughtful contribution will have a significant impact on the safety and security of the community,” wrote Michael. “The members of the department are blown away by this generosity and words cannot express the shock and gratitude of the department.”
Witherby Estates, about five kilometres north of Langdale, achieved FireSmart Canada Recognized Neighbourhood Program status last quarter, as the FireSmart program expands on the Sunshine Coast. “The community has found this to be especially fruitful as it does mean they are now seeing a discount on their insurance premiums, as well as bringing the community closer together,” said the report.
Another tidbit that was raised in conversation among councillors, the fire department cannot provide service to buildings classified as “high buildings” by the BC Building Code, limiting the height of department-protected buildings to six storeys, said the report. This is given the size and composition of the department.
