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BRIGADE COLD WATER TEAM PRACTICE

     Six members of our Cold Water Rescue team prepare for open water training on Southside of Hr. Grace. This training session took place at night on Feb. 21 under calm conditions with air temperature of -4c and water temperature of 3c. The swimmers spent approximately 1 hour in the water completing a series of rescue scenarios, water entering techniques and recoveries. During this time, Chris Noel was also tested and successfully completed the third and final stage of his training and has now been given status of Rescue Swimmer with the Cold Water Rescue Team.                                        

  Cold Water Team coordinator Bill Ryan said ," The team has an aggressive year round training program which includes training at the swimming pool, training in salt water and fresh water, completing ice/water rescues, open water rescues, and causality recovery. "

Photo: Chief Sonia Williams, Crew Chief Dave Earle, Stephen Verge, Crew Chief Rick Davis, Jody Mahaney, Stephen Fahey.

Kneeling Charlie Archibald, Crew Chief Stephen Sullivan , Jim Barnes, Bill Ryan, Shawn Baker, and Chris Noel

BRIGADE HOSTS SEA CADET CORPS

Story by: Robert Lynch, Atlantic Fire Fighter

     The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade played host to the RCSCC #32 Beothic Harbour Grace Corps on two consecutive Monday nights in February. As a part of their optional training the Cadets visited the Fire Hall where Fire Chief Sonia Williams explained each of the Firefighting Apparatus and the equipment housed on them. The Cadets were able to try out and handle different firefighting tools and equipment and some even donned SCBAs. To finish the visit the cadets were taken for a ride around town in the fire trucks.

     Firefighter/Acting Sub Lieutenant Charles Rogers said A The cadets found the visit to the fire hall very informative. Having the opportunity to see the equipment needed in Firefighting, being able to Don SCBAs  and then being able to get better acquainted with the apparatuses gave the cadets a better perspective on what goes into the day to day running of a Fire Department. Plans are to include the tour as a part of the Annual Ceremonial Review in May of this year.

Photo : Chief Sonia Williams assists Stephanie Hearn (left) and Stacy Reynolds (right) as they get geared up in SCBAs during a Sea Cadet visit to the Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade.

TWO VEHICLE MVA SENDS ONE TO HOSPITAL

Story by: Robert Lynch, Atlantic Fire Fighter

     A two vehicle MVA on Thursday afternoon January 18, 2007, caused extensive damage to both vehicles and sent the driver of one to Carbonear General with what are believed to be non- life threatening injuries. Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade received a call for assistance at 4:38 p.m. and responded with their extrication vehicle unit #2 and Pumper #4. Paramedics from Moores Ambulance Service and the RCMP were already on the scene.

     Upon arriving at the scene firefighters found the driver of one of the vehicles involved being attended by paramedics, the driver of the other vehicle was not injured. After completing a quick scene assessment it was decided to do a A roof removal@ to allow room for the paramedics to safely extricated the driver and transport him to hospital. Officer in charge Assistant Chief Paul Snow said A it appears that one of the vehicles was rear-ended, driver of the vehicle that was extricated and transported to Carbonear General Hospital fearing neck and back injuries@ .

Photo: Shows the Grey Nissen and a late model blue Ford involved in a 2 vehicle MVA on Harvey Street in Harbour Grace January 18,07.

BRIGADE RESPONDS TO TWO VEHICLE MVA

Story by: Robert Lynch, Atlantic Fire Fighter

     The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade were dispatched tot he scene of a two Vehicle MVA in the port town on January 22, 2007. The call for assistance was placed at 11:32 a.m. A report of a accident on what is locally known as the Court House turn was given. The turn, a quick sweeping full 90 degrees is bad enough but it becomes even more dangerous in snowy or slippery conditions.

     Upon arrival at the scene firefighters found a mid-size car and a pick truck had been involved in the accident. The car traveling west lost control in the turn veering left, crossing the center line and collided with the east bound pick up. The driver and passenger along with their dog were moved from their vehicle and placed in the third car in the photo fearing a potential fire in the vehicle involved.

    Both driver and passenger were transported to Carbonear General hospital via Ambulance and the RCMP took possession of the non injured pet. Chief Williams Said A The Court house turn is a sharp turn on a good summer= s day but the given road conditions here today snow covered slippery with a dusting of snow falling only served to make driving very dangerous. Fortunately the injuries not serious.@

Photo: Response vehicles and the two vehicles involved as well as the car used (Blue) to shelter the occupants of the car involved in the accident.

BRIGADE HOLDS ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Story by: Robert Lynch, Atlantic Fire Fighter

     The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade held it election of officers in November 2006 and on January 01, 2007 they took on their responsibilities. In a constitutional change made several years ago and to better align the Brigade= s fiscal year with the town= s the brigade elects a new executive in November, and the incoming executive assume their post in January of the next fiscal year.

     Returning to the position of Chief is Sonia Williams, Assistant Chief Paul Snow, Crew chiefs for 2007 are Stephen Sullivan, Jamie Pike, Ray Verge, Rick Davis, Chris Noseworthy , and Dave Earle, Treasurer is Bob Tetford, Secretary is Doug Taylor. Board of Directors representative Chris Noel.

     Photo: the Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade Executive for 2007. Seated Crew Chief Chris Noseworthy, Chief Sonia Williams, Crew Chief Ray Verge. Standing Secretary Doug Taylor, Crew Chief Rick Davis Crew Chief Stephen Sullivan, and Treasurer Bob Tetford. Missing from photo are Assistant Chief Paul Snow, Crew Chiefs Dave Earle and Jamie Pike.