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2000 Stories

SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT

PROMPTS MUTUAL AID CALL


Upper Island Cove, NF - The Upper Island Cove Volunteer Fire Department responded to the single vehicle accident in Bryant's Cove, November 22/ 2000. The call for assistance came into the dispatch at 6:50 p. m. A report of a ½ tone Ford pickup having left the road, over turned and landed on its roof with two people trapped inside was given.

Upper Island Cove Volunteer Department responded with their Front Run Pumper and their Rescue Unit, 4 Officers and a crew of 12 firefighters. Findings the roads to be slick and ice covered the Department had to carefully drive to the scene, upon arrival at the scene the firefighters were meet by the ambulance attendants from Young's Ambulance and shortly thereafter the attendants from Moore's Ambulance service, a Department of Highway Vehicle and two RCMP Vehicles.

Finding the vehicle "Cradled" between both sides of the ditch and therefore secure the ambulance attendant crawled into the cab through the drivers side window to render assistance to the two occupants of the pick-up. Quickly realizing that the position of the truck prevented the removal of the causalities and with the evidence of a gas leak around the vehicle the Upper Island Cove Department dispatched for Mutual Aid from neighboring Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade. Harbour Grace dispatched their Rescue Truck--Unit #2 and Pumper #4, 2 Officers and 8 firefighters. Upon arriving at the scene the Extrication team removed the drivers side door and the pick-up's rear window. One casualty, the lady, was placed on a back board and passed through the rear window and under the box of the turned over vehicle and on to the awaiting ambulance. The driver of the vehicle then freely climbed out of the cab via the now removed door. Both occupants of the vehicle were transported to Carbonear General Hospital.

First person on the scene was Bryant's Cove resident Mr. Ray Neil. Neil Said "I thought it was a trike at first, I went over to the vehicle and asked if everything was alright, after checking things out I asked Eric Smith to stay with the Vehicle while I left to call an ambulance". He (Mr. Smith) kept talking to the occupants and realizing we needed more help we then sent someone to call the Fire Department".

Upper Island Cove Chief Darren Mercer officer in charge of the scene said " Once again the residents of our area have benefitted from the equipment and training Volunteer Firefighters use in performing their duties. Our call for Mutual Aid was answered promptly and the cooperation between the volunteer firefighters from Harbour Grace and Upper Island Cove again shows how much protection we offer the citizens we serve."

Submitted By Robert Lynch PR/Assistant Chief
The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade

 


BRIGADE RESPONDS TO SUSPICIOUS HOUSE FIRE PROMPTING A MUTUAL AID CALL


The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade was call to the scene of a house fire at the corners of Cochrane and Harvey Streets on Saturday December 16/00. The call for assistance came into dispatch at 6:05 p.m.. A report of a two story dwelling on fire with three children in the house was given. The Brigade initially responded with there front run pumper #4, and a crew of 5 firefighters, these, not having an officer answered to the most senior firefighter on the scene. The first response team were promptly joined by 5 officers, 15 firefighters, unit #2 and #3 pumper #5,

The first officer on the scene Crew Chief Ray Verge realizing his dilemma quickly called nearby Carbonear Fire Department for mutual aid. Carbonear responded with two officers, 12 firefighters and their aerial Ladder Truck and their first run pumper. Moores Ambulance Service and Newfoundland Power were called to the scene. RCMP were called to the scene and later RCMP backup were called as well..

The initial attack team arrived on the scene to find smoke coming from the lower level of the house and the father claiming the children, that he hadn't seen all day, were in the house. The attack team conducted an search of the dwelling's lower floor, through the kitchen, living room and two bedrooms and were unable to locate anyone. Upon reporting this a second search was conducted through the dwelling and still no one was found in the house. It was not until a third search was in progress that a family member returned to the scene and told firefighters the she had located the children and they were safely at a friends house.

Crew Chief Verge Said " We were hearing that the children were not in the house and hadn't been for most of the day. I asked two family members to go and look for the children and upon finding them return to the scene and confirm this for us. We were conducting our third search of the building when they returned with news the children were safe."

The father of the children had to be restrained at the scene. He was handcuffed and taken to the RCMP lockup where he spent the night. The house was cordoned of by the RCMP and The Harbour Grace Brigade members and a guard was placed on the scene until the next day when Fire Officials arrived to conduct their investigation of the dwelling.

Submitted by: Robert Lynch PR/Assistant Chief
The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade

 


BRIGADE MODIFIES RESCUE VEHICLE TO SERVE DUAL ROLE


The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade has made some changes to their 1992 Rescue Vehicle. The Extrication Vehicle has been fitted out to serve the Brigade as a hearse. The modification was made so the Brigade could honor the request of deceased member of the brigade's family to have their loved one transported via a fire truck.

Over the past number of months the Brigade has struck a Funeral Committee to address and update the brigade's involvement in the funeral process upon the death of a Lifetime Member, Honorary Member, Ladies Auxiliary member, a Junior Brigade member and a member from the Active Firefighters. The brigade has traditionally been a part of the service for its membership. The brigade has a list of options available to the bereaved family as well as conducting a Funeral Home visitation service and attending the Funeral service.

Committee Chair Bob Lynch met with the members of the clergy of the Harbour Grace area and with representatives from Noel's Funeral Homes to ask for guidance and advice in adding to the list of options offered to the families. These the brigade would carry out only upon the families request. The committee also felt the need to offer to the brigade's membership one of its vehicles to serve as a hearse and provide it as one of the options available to a brigade member's family.

The committee called for a Funeral Co-ordinator and Firefighter Chris Noseworthy volunteered to accept this responsibility. Firefighters Lynch and Noseworthy met with Noel's Funeral representatives Mr. Ken Noel and Mr. Ross Slade. It was decided that unit #2 would be best to modify and construct a proper mechanism in to house the necessary components. It was also decided that Noel's Funeral Home hearse would be used to transport the floral arrangements.

Lynch said "We felt a need to offer this as an option to our membership, some of whom had expresses their wishes to members of the Funeral Committee. We are pleased to have this as an option for our Brigade and for the families consideration. On behalf of the Funeral Committee members Dave Regular, George Crocker, Charlie Archibald, Chris Noseworthy, Lifetime members Mr. Lloyd Pike, and Mr. Jack Noseworthy, myself, and Our entire Brigade Family I sincerely thank the members of the clergy of Harbour Grace and Noel's Funeral Home for their guidance and leadership in seeing this project through."

Submitted by Robert Lynch PR Assistant Chief
Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade

 

BRIGADE RESPONDS TO HOUSE FIRE


The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade responded to a chimney fire and found themselves at a house fire resulting in minor injuries tho two male occupants of the home. Dispatch received a call for assistance at A.m. a report of a chimney fire at a two story house on Harbour Grace South was given. The Brigade responded with their front run pumper #4, and unit #2, 3 officers and a crew of 6 firefighters.

Upon arriving at the scene the firefighters quickly realized they had a much bigger problem to deal with. The fire originally thought to be a chimney fire had ignited not only the wall enclosing the chimney , but also the ceiling and roof surrounding the chimney had also been on fire. When the residents of the two story house first seen smoke the two male residents lifted the hatch in the ceiling to gain access to the attic only to have the fire come back to meet them. While dousing the flames with water the older of the two sustained first degree burns to his finger and his brother sustained first degree burns to his left forearm. The Brigade then dispatched Unit #3 which houses their burn kit to the scene and provided First Aid to the two who were later taken to hospital . Firefighters used their Reciprocating saw to remove the wall to the left and right of the chimney. A section of the adjacent bedroom wall and a portion of the ceiling had to be removed to ensure that all the damaged materials were safely away from the chimney.

It appears the fire had been in the smoldering stage for some time until ignition temperatures were reach and the family noticed the smoke and reacted to the situation. Chief Paul Ash explained "Upon receiving a call to a chimney fire the Brigade responded to an apparent house fire, the decision by the family to call for assistance was the difference in saving their home.

Submitted by: Robert Lynch PR/Assistant Chief
The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade


BRIGADE HOSTS

SMALL AIRPORTS TRAINING COURSE


Volunteer firefighters from seven fire departments and two employees of Moores Ambulance Service came together on the weekend of November 19th , 2000 as The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade Played host to the Small Airports Training Program Course. The 31 course participants spent all day Saturday in classroom sessions. The group learned about the proper firefighting tactics, the uses of foaming agents, the various fuels used by aircraft, the construction material of airplanes ,and the various system throughout aircraft from the oxygen systems and on to the hydraulic systems. Sunday saw the group conducting scenarios at the Harbour Grace Training Ground. Several vehicles were used as Cockpits and the group practiced fire suppression and extinguishment on the vehicles. In the afternoon the group were hosted at the Harbour Grace Airport by piolet Mr. Claude Stevenson. Mr. Stevenson discussed some history of the airport specifically referring to a crash that had occurred at Harbour Grace. The group were then shown Mr. Stevenson's 1946 airplane as he explained the design and mechanics of the aircraft.

Instructor for the Course Greg Lynch of The Fire Commissioners Office said "The Small Airports training program was developed by the St. John's Airport Authority for the Office of The Fire Commissioner. It was developed in response to request from fire departments who found themselves responsible for airport firefighting due to the reduced present of Transport Canada. The course is not a certification course, rather, it is designed to provide structural firefighters with the minimum skills and knowledge necessary to safety and effectively carry out firefighting duties on an airfield or airport. The course covers basic Airdrome and Aircraft Terminology, Firefighting Tactics, Extinguishing Agents and Equipment, Preservation of Evidence, Voice and Data Recorders, and Live Fire Training Evolution".

The course has been offered in Clarenville, Bishops Falls, Botwood, Fogo, and Harbour Grace, and has been well receive by the participating Fire Departments.

Submitted by: Robert Lynch PR/Assistant Chief
The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade

 


COLD WATER RESCUE

TEAM RESCUE AT LADY LAKE


Harbour Grace, NF - It was approximately 9:10 a.m. Tuesday morning when the pager system sounded "All Firefighters to the Fire Station , please we have an emergency. And then repeated "All Firefighters to the Fire Station, please we have an emergency." Upon arriving at the Fire station the response crew called back and asked "What do we have?" "A report of a horse and possibly a man have gone through the ice at Lady Lake" was the reply. The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade Cold Water Rescue Team donned their dry suits and were quickly en route to the Lake.

Upon arriving at Lady Lake the Brigade could see a horse and its owner about 150 feet from shore through the ice. They were then informed that across the lake on the opposite shore , just of Knight's Path, there was another horse in the same predicament and its owner had also been in the water.

The owner of the nearest horse, Norm Winsor Jr. was doing all he could to get the animal out. Then with and the help of Mr. Don Mercer and the Cold Water Rescue Team several attempts were made to get the 1200 lbs animal to ice thick enough to hold its weight. After repeated efforts, and after the horse's weight crushed the thin ice again and again, ice thick enough to hold her was reached and the animal stood up and walked to shore and on to home.

The Cold Water Rescue Team then gathered their equipment and accompanied by Mr. Don Mercer, who insisted in going across the ice against the wishes of Rescue Team because he was not properly equipped or dressed to venture out on to the lake. The group of five walked out on to the ice and were discussing rescue plans for the next horse when the ice cracked,. The group split up and Mr. Mercer himself fell through the ice. Team member Keith Skinner placed a stick of wood (carried over from the first horse rescue), under him. Cold Water Rescue Team member Mr. Paul Snow being closest to him and with assistance from Team member Bob Lynch acted quickly to rescue Mr. Mercer get him back to thick ice. Team Member Snow then accompanied Mr. Mercer back to shore while the rest of the team pushed on towards the problem of the second horse in the water.

Upon arriving at the scene of the second horse and having been told by two gentlemen who had been there since the initial call, Mr. Gerald Sullivan and Mr. Norm King, that Mr. Cyril Moriarity had fallen in the lake . Team member Bob Lynch checked Mr. Moriarity -- seeing he was wet to his hips and very cold. It was decided that Mr. Moriarity should be accompanied back across the ice to safety as he himself was now the Team's major concern. Mr. Moriarity having been assured by the team that they would get the horse out and safely home, although reluctant, agreed it was the wisest thing to do. He was then transported to Carbonear General and after being checked over was released shortly thereafter.

The horse rescue presented the same problems in getting it to thick ice as did the first horse and when this was achieved there was another problem. The animal had been in the water longer, she was exhausted, shivering and didn't have enough strength to get to her feet. By now several more helpers had arrived on the scene through Knight's Path.

The Cold Water Rescue Team Radioed back for blankets. Using these and coats offered by the men on the scene the animal was covered and allowed it to rest long enough to gain its legs and walk to Knight's Path. The animal was turned over to the care of Mr. Jim Moriarity and Mr. Gordon Meadus who walked the animal home.

Mr. Cyril Moriarity said "I would like to express my gratitude to the Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade and their Cold Water Rescue Team, as well as those who came onto the ice to help get my horse out of the water and safely back home."

Mr. Norman Winsor said "I thought I was going to lose my horse, I didn't think we would get her out of the water–things weren't good there for a while".  He continued, "Without the help of The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade's Cold Water Rescue Team we would have lost her". I would like to thank Mr. Don Mercer and Cold Water Rescue Team Members Paul Snow, Bob Lynch, Keith Skinner, and Rick Davis.

Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade Cold Water Rescue Team would like to thank The National Search and Rescue Secretariat, New SAR Initiatives Fund. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans–Canadian Coast Guard Newfoundland Region for their sponsorship of this project. And in particular Mr. Neil Pete Supervisor-Marine Search And Rescue Programs. The honorable Fred Mifflin MP PC for Bonavista Trinity Conception. The Cold Water Rescue Team would also like to acknowledge the efforts of former Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade Chief Mr. Paul Snow and present Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade Chief Mr. Paul Ash without whose help and dedication to the project The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade Cold Water Rescue Team would not be a reality today.

Submitted by: Robert Lynch Assistant Chief, PR
The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade
 

 


 

EARLY MORNING BLAZE

RAZES LOCAL BUSINESS


An early morning fire destroyed the Hunt's Pick-Me -Up building on Harvey Street in Harbour Grace this past weekend. The call for assistance came into brigade's dispatch at 3:50 a.m.. The call was placed by passerbys who noticed the smoke and flames coming from the front of the structure. They promptly alerted the people in the upstairs apartments and helped them to safety, and placed the call for help.

The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade dispatched their front run pumper #4, along with unit #2 , #3 and pumper #5 with a full complement of firefighters and arrived on the scene to find flames coming out from the ground floor of the structure as well as fire up the front of the building through the eves and onto the roof. Officer in charge of the scene Crew Chief Jim, Barnes realizing he needed help placed a call to The Carbonear Fire Department for mutual aid. Carbonear dispatched their front run pumper as well as their Arial ladder truck. Calls were also placed to the RCMP, Moores Ambulance Service and Newfound Light and Power.

The brigade completed their primary search to the back and upstairs of the building without the advantage of a hose line, and found the apartments empty, however, one resident was still unaccounted for so a second search was set in progress. After the second search was completed the firefighters were informed that the individual was indeed not in the building to begin with.

The brigade's initial attack team had another potentially exploitive situation to deal with. On the east side of the structure there were 5-- 300 pounds propane cylinders directly under an area now heavily involved in fire. The roof, eves and gable end of the building were foamed down allowing time for firefighters to turn off the 5 tanks and remove them to safety.

With fire conditions deteriorating rapidly and confirmation that all occupants were out and accounted for. Both The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade and Carbonear Department team's began to mount an heavy offensive attack on the building. With high-volume hose laid from one hydrant to Harbour Grace's #4 the brigade utilized its foam system on 2–1 ½ lines as well as the truck monitor nozzle and With high-volume hose laid from another hydrant to Carbonear's Arial Ladder Truck providing a master stream the blaze was contained but not out.

Renovations made when the building was redesigned presented a problem for firefighters an area 4 feet deep between the upper and lower floor covering half the total floor space of the structure became difficult for the attack team to get into. The area was vented to clear out the smoke and the team attacked the area from the north and west walls extinguishing the internal fire.

Crew Chief jim Barnes "Full credit to those who got the people out from the apartments and for calling for assistance. The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade would like to thank the Carbonear Department for there aid in battling such a large fire, as well as Moores Ambulance Service for not only coming but staying on the scene to render aid to the firefighters".

Submitted By; Robert Lynch Assistant Chief/PR
The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade

 



 

BRIGADE CALLED TO

HOUSE DEMOLISHING ACCIDENT


The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade was called to the scene of an accident on Monday August 14, 2000 . Mrs Maude Peddle placed the call for assistance to the Harbour Grace Dispatch at 10:37 a.m.. A group of men were taking down a house on the lower end of Harbour Grace South when one of the walls fell unexpectedly, struck one of the workers and pinned him underneath.

The brigade dispatched #3 truck from the investigation site at Hunt's Pick-Me-Up blaze to the scene, along with unit #2 from the fire station and a total crew of 9 firefighters. They arrived on the scene to find Mr. Rex Vaters underneath the front section of the house. This section was being lifted from and held off the injured man by several local residents who had been there for some time holding the weight of the structure themselves.

While brigade members and an off duty Young's Ambulance Service attendant rendered first aid to Mr. Vaters a boom truck was brought in to hold the weight of the right side of the fallen section as firefighters provided blocking to the left side. Assistant Chief Bob Lynch Said " I would like to acknowledge the effort of the men who came on the scene to hold the fallen section off Mr. Vaters, myself and Firefighter Pate Moriarity were doing the blocking on the left side and we told these men who, had been by now hold the weight of the entire front of the house for 15 or 20 minutes that we needed it raised more to get the blocks in safely, and they did".

Mr. Vaters was continually given first aid, oxygen and immobilized on a back board under the fallen section before being transported by Moores Ambulance service to Carbonear General and from there onto St. John's for further treatment.

Submitted by: Robert Lynch Assistant Chief/PR
The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade

 

BRIGADE RESPONDS TO CAR FIRE


Members of the Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade responded to a car fire on Friday October 05, 2000. The call for assistance came into dispatch at 3:08 p.m.. Dispatch said there was a car on fire on the parking lot of the Provincial Government Services Office. The brigade responded with Pumper #4 and Rescue Van #3 along with 12 firefighters. Pumper #4 ‘s crew arrived on the scene to find the parking lot cleared and the vehicle fully involved in fire.

The vehicle's owner Said "I had just arrived at the office and had gone into the building, I wasn't gone five minutes, when someone came running in to tell me my car was on fire".

The attack team having donned SCBA's en route to the scene extinguished the fire initially using the Class A foam system and then switched back to water for the hot spots and cleanup of the area. There were no injuries in the incident but the vehicle itself was a total loss.

Submitted by Robert Lynch PR, Assistant Chief Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade.

 

BRIGADE PRESENTED WITH

FRAMED PRINT OF

THE FIREFIGHTERS PRAYER


At the regular monthly dinner meeting of the Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade, Chief Paul Ash was presented with a framed copy of the Firefighters Prayer. The Double matted Red and Black 16 x 20 print was enclosed in a gold framed and presented to the Brigade by Don Regular. The prayer is used internationally by firefighters from both the Career and Volunteer ranks. While there are many variations of The Firefighters Prayer containing changes as slight as a sentence or word this framed copy is the most widely used. It has become both prayer and creed to the firefighter community world wide. In 1997 this publication of the Firefighters Prayer was dedicated to the memory of the four firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice at the hands of an arsonist during the "Mary Pang Warehouse" fire on the evening of January 5, 1995.

Councillor and Brigade Liaison Don Regular upon presenting the Framed Print said "My presentation to the brigade was done in recognition of my family's service to the Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade. My Grandfather Mr. Llewellyn Ash served as a member for over 30 years, my father Mr. Willis Regular is a Lifetime member of the brigade having served for 36 years, and my brother Dave Regular is an active member of the brigade presently in his 23 rd year of service. I have been a lifelong supporter of the Brigade and I presently serve as the Town of Harbour Grace Council's Liaison to the Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Fire Chief Paul Ash Said "I gratefully accept this Framed Print on behalf of the Brigade. It is fitting that it was presented to us from a family with such historic ties to the Brigade. The Ash and Regular family's have served and continue to serve the people of this historic town and this Framed Print will be displayed at the Hydrant Club honoring their work.'

 

 

BRIGADE WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS


At the regular monthly dinner meeting of the Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade two new members were officially accepted into the ranks of the Brigade. Paul Sullivan and Darryl Sheppard applied for entry into the oldest firefighting brigade in the province in December of 1999. The two responded to a call for new members notice which appeared in a November issue of The Compass. Following in house procedures the two were selected and placed on a six month probationary period. During this period new members are provided with firefighting training as well as the opportunity to participate in the fellowship aspect of the Brigade. With the addition of these new members the Brigade now has a active membership of 35 firefighters with which to serve and protect Harbour Grace and the surrounding area. The two were presented with the Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade Badge by Fire Chief Paul Ash. Ash Said " it is indeed a pleasure to welcome Paul and Darryl into the ranks of The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade. We have found them both to be very involved in all aspects of the brigade during their probationary period and we believe they will be a great asset to us in protecting the citizens and their property in Harbour Grace and surrounding areas"

Submitted By Robert Lynch, Assistant Chief/PR
Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade

 

THE ANNUAL ROSS JONES MEMORIAL

FIREFIGHTING TECHNOLOGY WORKSHOP


Come By Chance, NF - From Summerford to Sunnyside-Gambo to Garnish-Harbour Grace-to Holyrood fire fighters from all over Newfoundland gathered at North Atlantic Refining to learn the latest on firefighting techniques from some of the most skilled fire fighters in the business.

Each year North Atlantic hosts fire-training workshops for local fire fighters across the province. With in the last for years nearly 500 local firefighters have attended various fire training workshops at the refinery . With out a doubt the most anticipated training workshop at North Atlantic is the Annual Ross Jones Memorial Fire Fighting Technology Workshop.

This years fire training workshop held the weekend of November 3rd was a great success and the local fire departments were very appreciative" Says John Taylor, Refinery Fire Chief. "There were 19 fire departments in attendance for a total of 26 firefighters.

Hubert Sparkes, Executive Director of the NF & Lab Assoc. of Fire Chief and firefighters, said " Our provincial fire departments look forward to this training workshop every year. " North Atlantic Annual Ross Jones Memorial Workshop is an excellent opportunity for the fire fighters to brush up on their skills and to learn new fire fighting techniques."

North Atlantic, Newfoundland's only oil refinery and one of the province's largest employers, is proud of the clean, low-sulphur products produced by their team of 700 highly skilled and dedicated Newfoundland employees. As a major contributor to the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador, each year North Atlantic exports more than $750 million in top quality petroleum products to 13 countries around the world and at home in Newfoundland.

Submitted By Robert Lynch
Atlantic Firefighter Correspondent

 

COLD WATER RESCUE TEAM ATTENDS

1ST ANNUAL PETER EASTON DIVE


The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade's Cold Water Rescue Team was invited to be on standby at the 1st annual Peter Easton Dive. The Peter Easton Dive was Coordinated by The Harbour Grace Port Authority and held over the weekend of September 8th and 9th-2000. The Dive attracted professional dive teams, recreational divers and divers with as few as 4 dives experience.

The weekend began with a meet and greet on Friday night. Peter Easton dropped by for a visit and gave a stern warning to would be robbers of his treasury. He reminded the dives that all booty found is only to be observed, marked and reported to the Port Authority for further investigation.

On Saturday the schedule called for two dives one each in the morning and afternoon. Dive teams were assigned sites in which to search for any sort of artifacts or remnants of sunken vessels or treasures. Both Dives were completed on schedule and the event was deemed both enjoyable and an all round success. The Cold Water Rescue Team were called upon three times throughout the day. One team member entered the water to lend a assistance and two other members were called upon to lend assistance from Zodiacs.

One of the Dive Teams present for the inaugural Dive represented Sub Aqua, Chris Fleming of Sub Aqua said "On behalf of Sub Aqua and all Divers who took part in this event I would like to extend my gratitude and thanks to the Harbour Grace Port Authority for putting off a fantastic day of diving and the enriching experience. Harbour Grace has some fantastic diving opportunities for the novice thru to the experienced diver. I would like to compliment the local fishermen for their boats and knowledge of the waters along with their patience for divers. We are grateful for the experience and helpfulness of The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade's Cold Water Rescue Team . Their help and control of situations was commendable. Also a hearty thank you goes out to the people of the Harbour Grace area for their hospitality in making this a great inaugural Dive.

Cold Water Team leader Firefighter Bill Ryan Said "I was very pleased that our Shore- Based Water Rescue Team were able to lend assistance to the Harbour Grace Port Authority with their first Peter Easton Dive. I am sure this is a very worthwhile endeavor and will become an annual event attracting divers to our area. We look forward to supporting the Harbour Authority and Community in future events.'

Submitted By; Robert Lynch Correspondent
The Atlantic Firefighter

 


HARBOUR GRACE VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE ELECTION OF OFFICERS


The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade held their annual meeting and election of officers on Tuesday March 14, 2000. There we a great deal of interest shown for the 9 executive positions. A total of 23 Brigade members were nominated to fill the 9 slots. Top of the Ladder Club member John Pike conducted the election with assistance from fellow club members Charlie Monks and Cyril White and probationary Firefighter Paul Sullivan. Ballots were cast to determined the position of Chief, 4 Crew Chiefs, Secretary and representative to the Hydrant Club Board of Directors. The position of Assistant Chief, Treasurer and Club Manager were determined by acclamation.

Returning as Fire Chief is Paul Ash, Bob Lynch will serve as Assistant Chief, Secretary for the Brigade is Brain Dwyer, and Dave Regular is Treasurer of all Brigades Accounts . The Four Crew Chiefs are Ray Verge, Pat Hearn, Jim Barnes and Keith Skinner. Pat Hearn has a duel role for the Brigade along with being Crew Chief he will also serve as the Hydrant Club's Manager, and along with Pat and Dave Regular, Eric Hunt will serve as the Brigade's Representative to the Board of Directors.

Chief Ash said " It is good to see such interest by the membership in holding executive positions. I find this to be encouraging, we have some new faces on our executive and we look forward to a incident free year."
 

 


 

 


HARBOUR GRACE VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK REPORT


The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade completed a very successful Fire Prevention week 2000. Fire Prevention and Inspection Officer Crew Chief Ray Verge reported the brigade began by erecting 2 new public awareness signs, one each in the east and west ends of town.

The brigade ran their Annual Fire Prevention Week Parade of response vehicles through the town Sunday at 1:00 p.m.. Instead of the usual visitation to alternate churches each year for a service, the membership decided to conduct a church service at the Brigade's Memorial Bell Tower at 3:00 p.m.. The brigade is hopeful that this will be the place of choice for future Fire Prevention Week Services as a way to pay respect to those have served and those who continue to serve their town as firefighters.

Tuesday was spent at Harbour Grace Primary where Volunteer Firefighters visited each class and addressed the students on Fire Safety. Each student was given a "bag of goodies" from the Brigade and invited to take part in a coloring contest. Wednesday the firefighters visited The Harbour Grace Memorial Library Story Time class where the group of children aged 4 and 5 years were given fire prevention instruction, a bag of goodies and invited to take part in the coloring contest as well.

Friday morning saw the Volunteer firefighters conduct Fire Drills at both St. Francis Intermediate School and Harbour Grace Primary. The schools were emptied in 65 seconds and 56 seconds respectively. The Fire Drills were evaluated and minor concerns were discussed with the principals and vice-principals of each school.

On Wednesday October 25th,2000 the firefighters invited the coloring contest winner from the Story time class to join them at Harbour Grace Primary to present the winners of the coloring contest. The winners were presented with a fun prize of model fire trucks and a more practical prize of a Smoke Detector for there homes.

Grade three students took time to write the Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade. One of the letters received was from Katie Winsor, Katie wrote, Thank you for coming to our school to help us learn about fire prevention, and helping us learn about Fire Drills. We read a book about Firemen and I really enjoyed it.