Tag Archives: Cortes Island Fire Department

Education

Why media like the Cortes Island Academy

A tiny education program on Cortes has been getting a lot of media attention lately.

“We were featured on the National Observer with our local journalism initiative reporter, Rochelle Baker.  She did a fabulous piece on this program that was picked up by the Vancouver Sun and then was picked up by some Vancouver radio stations and by the CBC. So as nearby as Cortes Currents and as now far away as the reach of CBC,” explained Manda Aufochs Gillespie, one of the organizers of the Cortes Island Academy.

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Fire

Fire chief gives tips on wood stove safety as winter approaches

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

With fall in full swing, coastal BC residents are experiencing cooler temperatures, and many rural citizens rely on wood as a primary heating source in the colder seasons.

Cortes Island Fire Chief Dave Ives says it’s time to ensure chimneys and wood stoves are in good working order and recommends having them inspected and cleaned by a professional. A majority of emergency calls directed to the Cortes Fire Department are house fires, according to the chief.

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Health

The paramedic situation on Cortes and Quadra Islands

There have been numerous reports of BC ambulances being understaffed recently. According to Prince Rupert Northern View, the Bella Coola ambulance was only in service for 52% of July. Quadra Island volunteer firefighter Marc Doll recently informed Cortes Currents there are times when no paramedics are available on Quadra and ‘any firefighter that currently has a class four license is basically being put on standby because they no longer have the ability to have two people scheduled to keep the ambulance going.’ After receiving a couple of anonymous tips on Cortes Island, Cortes Currents asked BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) for an update on the local situation. 

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Forests

Mosaic informs SRD of its intentions for Cortes and Quadra Islands

Mosaic informed the SRD Board of its intentions to log Cortes and Quadra Islands in a presentation at the August 17 SRD Board meeting.  

“Earlier this year, we were really happy to announce that Way Kay Ventures, a newly formed company owned in part by the We Wai Kai First Nation is providing us with our timber harvesting services on Quadra island. So great to see that nation, working with us on our crown tenures, to participate in the forest sector in their traditional territory,” explained Molly Hudson, Mosaic’s Director of Sustainability. “We’ve been talking a lot with the community on Cortes about upcoming harvest plans, which we intend to launch this fall.”

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Disaster

Cortes Island Volunteer Fire Department recruits will soon receive additional training for responding to medical emergencies

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.

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