Members of our Elk Valley and South Country Fire Departments in collaboration with the Fernie Fire department, and members of the Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it (Tobacco Plains) Fire Service successfully carried out their annual “moving big water” training exercise on Thursday evening at Tie Lake.

“Having the opportunity for our departments to come together for an exercise like this not only builds teamwork but gives us a chance to continue to practice those skills,” says Elk Valley and South Country Rural Fire Services Chief, Mike Hockley. “Living in the area we do, it’s critical that we practice how the water we fight fires with is sourced. We don’t have the ability to hook up to a fire hydrant in many rural areas and the process to fill our tenders with water from an alternate source has several complicated, moving parts. We are grateful to our team members that came out, the Fernie Fire Department, and Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it (Tobacco Plains) Fire Service for coming to take part in an exercise that benefits all in our area.”

If you are interested in becoming a paid-on-call firefighter with the RDEK, we have members in both regions, Elk Valley & South Country including Jaffray, Baynes Lake, Elko, and Hosmer, as well as the Columbia Valley, including Fairmont, Windermere, Edgewater, and Panorama. Firefighters receive training and leadership development, medical first responder training, and provide vital services to their communities. As paid on-call firefighters, they receive payment for attending incidents and training, and are eligible for extended benefits. Contact your local fire department for details.