By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

Cortes Island has 1,000 year-round residents with a summer population that increases threefold and is served by a volunteer fire department.

Dave Ives took over as chief in July and says that, due to conditions during the pandemic and attrition, ranks of the Cortes Island Volunteer Fire Department have dwindled. He says his top priority is to recruit new members: he’d like to see 24 adults sign up, but realizes that’s ambitious and hopes at least a dozen enlist.

He’s been on a mission, handing out information and talking to islanders about the benefits of becoming a volunteer firefighter. Deadline for signing up is Sept. 1.

Ives says the new training session not only gives people the skills to be part of an essential service on Cortes Island, but also, for the first time, training in handling medical emergencies is being included.

CKTZ News caught up with Chief Ives outside the Cortes Waste Management Centre, where he was providing information and free hot dogs!

Top image credit: Cortes Island Volunteer Fire Department Chief Dave Ives at one of his recruitment stops. Photo by Greg Osoba.