Powell River Fire Rescue declared as full-service department

City of Powell River Council has declared Powell River Fire Rescue (PRFR) as a full-service fire department and will inform the office of the fire commissioner of the status declaration.

At the April 4 city council meeting, deputy fire chief Rocky Swanson said the office of the fire commissioner had established standards 20 years ago and there have been several iterations subsequently.

“The latest iteration requires that council declare the level of service by May 2024,” said Swanson. “Powell River Fire Rescue more than exceeds the standards and has for many years. This is simply a declaration from council saying this is the standard expected of us and it holds people like myself accountable.”

According to a staff report, under the Fire Services Act, the fire commissioner must establish minimum standards of training required for fire services personnel in BC and define the minimum standards of training required for structural firefighters in BC. The report stated that there are three levels of service, including exterior operations level, interior operations level and full service operations level.

Swanson said having the interior operations level allows firefighters to enter a burning building and rescue people inside. He said without that standard, firefighters here couldn’t go into burning buildings.

Councillor Trina Isakson asked what the difference is between that and the full service operations level of Powell River Fire Rescue.

Swanson said full service involves multiple competencies allowing an even higher and broader level of response from the firefighters.

Councillor Rob Southcott said with his past in the ambulance service, competencies are so important from the standpoint of safety for the service providers and service to the community.

“I know there has been an evolution over many years,” said Southcott. “It seems like a turning point to get to a point where this level of competency can be declared and that gives me a real sense of pride.

“I’m assuming and expect there is no difference in the training for full-time career firefighters and paid on-call firefighters,” said Southcott. 

Swanson said the standards are identical.

“In the country, and throughout North America, these are some of the most robust, precise standards here that are very clearly articulated by the BC fire commissioner’s office,” said Swanson. “This has been a real joint effort between the fire chiefs in the province and the fire commissioner’s office to bring about these standards. It’s a point of pride for the province because when you compare these standards to any other territory, we stand far ahead.”

Councillor Cindy Elliott asked if the fire department is meeting the level being declared. Swanson said standards were being met 100 per cent by the staff who have been fully trained, but standards are constantly evolving and he would be back before council at some point to ask for something else in terms of standards.

Council unanimously endorsed declaring the fire department as full service and to have staff provide this declaration to the office of the fire commissioner.

Join the Peak's email list for the top headlines right in your inbox Monday to Friday.