In a remote community in northwestern British Columbia, firefighting services have been halted temporarily due to a significant decrease in trained personnel. The Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine has announced the suspension of exterior-level firefighting services in Dease Lake, approximately 450 kilometers north of Terrace, citing the dwindling number of volunteer firefighters.
Residents of Dease Lake are now advised to contact the RCMP in case of a house or structure fire, as the local volunteer fire department is no longer operational. Lina Gasser, the regional district’s chief administrative officer, highlighted that the RCMP can assist in ensuring the safety of residents during emergencies, but there will be no response from the fire department.
The regional district emphasized that a minimum of 15 firefighters is required to meet the necessary training standards for providing firefighting services in Dease Lake. With the recent retirement of the acting fire chief and a decrease in registered volunteer numbers to only two, the district lacks the capacity to maintain firefighting operations.
As a temporary measure, the focus has shifted to fire prevention initiatives, including chimney cleaning, smoke alarm checks, and having fire extinguishers readily available. Wildfire services will continue to be managed provincially.
Dease Lake, with a population of around 230 people mainly engaged in contract work, faces challenges in recruiting firefighters. The nearest fire departments in Iskut and Telegraph Creek, located 84 and 110 kilometers away respectively, also struggle with recruitment issues, making it difficult to provide mutual aid.
The Volunteer Firefighter’s Association of British Columbia acknowledges the ongoing struggle faced by rural fire departments in maintaining service levels. Executive director Bob Graham highlighted the impact of paid on-call firefighting arrangements but mentioned that a long-term solution is needed to address recruitment challenges.
Efforts are underway to recruit new personnel, with the regional district currently seeking a fire chief. While there is no set timeline, officials are optimistic that positive developments may be expected within the next six months to a year, aiming to reinstate firefighting services in the community.