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Thetis Island Fire Department

Salute to volunteers during Fire Prevention Week Oct. 3-9
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Thetis Island Volunteer Fire Department members. From left: Capt. Dave Tarris, Yuka Saito, Pierre Henry, Quinn Nonay, Fire Chief Jeannine Caldbeck, Johnny Cullen Keidann, Brian Morita, Lieut. John Gall, Lynda Poirier, Chris Fordham, Capt. Chad Kerr, Norm Kasting. Insets, from left: Mike Ellis, Tim French, Deputy Chief Peter Luckham, Julian Jackman, Marjan Jackman, Grant Mottershead, Jeffrey Thudian. (Photo by Veronica Shelford)

The Thetis Island Fire Department faces some unique challenges with its location.

But under the leadership of Jeannine Caldbeck as fire chief, nothing has been insurmountable for firefighters to obtain the necessary training or credentials and keep the island community safe.

Caldbeck was just recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Volunteer Fire Services Association in the lead-up to Fire Prevention Week.

“The TIVFD, under Jeannine’s leadership has become recognized as one of the most professional and best run departments on Vancouver Island,” stated the CVFSA in a news release.

Among other things, “chief Caldbeck established an auxiliary to support firefighters with rest and rehab, traffic control, communications and water tendering,” the CVFSA added. “Dry hydrants and firefighting water tanks have been established at strategic points around the island.”

The volunteer commitment of the department has always been strong.

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Thetis Island Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Jeannine Caldbeck. (Photo submitted)
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First responder medical drill with retiring Thetis Island firefighter as “the victim.” (Photo submitted)
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Saying goodbye in September to volunteer firefighter Jessika Rieck from Büchen, Germany. Rieck, holding the corner of the flag, spent the summer training with the Thetis Island Volunteer Fire Department. (Photo submitted)
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Wildfire Structural Protection Unit Auxiliary members and Thetis Island Volunteer Fire Department firefighters training together. (Photo submitted)
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Thetis Island Volunteer Fire Department members practice water delivery. (Photo submitted)


Don Bodger

About the Author: Don Bodger

I've been a part of the newspaper industry since 1980 when I began on a part-time basis covering sports for the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle.
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