www.100milefreepress.

net 100 Mile House Free Press Thursday, October 14, 2021 A17

FIREFIGHT 2021
COMMUNITY APPRECIATION
108 Mile firefighters in training mode
No one really wants to out with night patrol than they’d like to see
Melissa Smalley
100 Mile Free Press have to go to the hospi- and surveillance at it, Haddad said, and
tals right now.” Deka Lake during the they “could really use
While the 108 Mile Despite the lower call nearly week-long evac- another seven or eight”
Ranch Volunteer Fire volume, the crew of 20 uation of 679 proper- volunteers.
Department has seen volunteer members has ties due to a fire in that He said there aren’t
slightly fewer calls kept busy with projects area. any parameters that
for service than nor- and a new training Members took turns need to be met - aside
mal this past year, the regime they recently with overnight shifts from being in decent
crew has still had plen- launched. patrolling the fire zone physical shape - and no
ty to keep them busy “We are into a new for any hot spots, flare previous experience is
over the past several curriculum of training ups or other fire activ- necessary.
months. and we’re going to be ity. “We train from the
Captain Chris Hadd- hitting that pretty hard When asked how vol- ground up,” he said,
ad said the team has for the next six months unteers with full-time noting that new mem-
notched 135 calls from or so,” Haddad said. day jobs were able to bers will be ready to be
Oct. 1 2020 to Sept. 30, “We will also be start- participate in overnight out responding to calls
2021, with more than ing our ice rescue prac- shifts, Haddad said it within about four to six
half of those calls for tice, as soon as the ice was a team effort to get months.
medical assistance. is on the lakes as well.” through it. Members meet once
“We’re a bit lower While the area of 108 “We do fortunately a week for training and
than average for the Mile Ranch was spared have quite a few retired practice on Tuesday
past year,” Haddad any major wildfire risk guys at the hall, so that evenings.
said. “We suspect that this summer - aside Members of the 108 Mile Ranch Volunteer Fire Department respond to a grass fire in July. (Submitted photo) helps as well,” he said. To find out more
COVID has played a from a period of being The 108 department about the 108 Volun-
part in that, with peo- under evacuation alert is actively seeking new teer Fire Department,
ple being scared to due to the Flat Lake some other areas of the season. department with a 30 on the Horse Lake members to join - their call 250-791-5715 or
call and trying to fight fire - the crew was South Cariboo during Members were called lighting-caused blaze ridge. roster of 20 members visit their Facebook
through the symptoms. able to lend a hand in the height of wildfire to assist the Lone Butte that broke out June Crews also helped currently is a bit lower page.

Lyle Michelle Dave Sallee Matt Danita Manfred Arlene Jim Barb Jennifer
David Gisela
Hatton Lewthwaite Mingo Duntin Giroday McLaren Loos Jongbloets Carter Monical Frizzi
Jurek Janzen

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