Hoselines - Community Services

Association of Yukon Fire Chiefs
Hoselines
October 2014
Dawson Hosts Yet Again Another Successful
Fire Service Symposium and Trade Exhibition
Dawson City was bustling with firefighters, suppliers, speakers and politicians from August 20-24, 2014 as
Yukon Fire Chiefs gathered for their
annual symposium and trade show. It
started Wednesday evening with
Opening Ceremonies and a Memorial
Service at the Danoja Zho Cultural
Centre and was followed by a Welcome Reception at the Klondike Institute of Arts and Culture (KIAC). The
overall theme of the event was the
"The Challenge of Change".
Thursday was a day of sharing information, with Yukon Fire Marshal Dennis
Berry presenting his annual report of
what has been happening on the Yukon
Fire Service scene and retired Prince
Albert Fire Chief and writer, Les Karpluk, speaking on the Seven Guiding
Principles of Leadership. Dennis
Berry's report and Less Karpluk's presentation can be found on pages 18 & 20
in this newsletter.
After lunch on Thursday "Carbon Monoxide: Sources, Symptoms and Detection Technology" was a hot topic. Jim
Gignac explained how a family tragedy
inspired him to help form the HawkinsGignac Foundation. This organization
conducts effective Carbon Monoxide
campaigns and distributes CO alarms
across Canada. Pat Folliot from Kidde
Canada also spoke about technology in
their alarms and how they try to make
their products as available as possible.
He also accepted a cheque from the
AYFC for $16,582.77 to pay for the
many hundreds of CO/Smoke alarms
our Association has distributed to rural
Tim Vandenbrink spoke about
Fire Prevention
and First Nation communities throughout Yukon and Northern BC.
Thursday wrapped up with a fun golf
tournament and a delicious barbecue
sponsored by Dräger Canada and
Nordique Fire Protection at the local
golf course.
After a group breakfast on Friday
morning, Warren McKewen spoke
about Incident Command. Explanations
of Thermal Imaging Cameras and how
to use them wrapped up the morning
presentations. The afternoon was dedicated to practical evolutions with the
new Mobile Live Fire Training Unit
again proving its practicality for the
Yukon Fire Service.
On Friday evening Fort Garry Trucks
and Nordique Fire Protection sponsored
a well attended barbecue/fish fry/gold
panning event at “Claim 33”. This enjoyable event was a big hit.
1
Saturday was a full day during which
Spruce Grove, Alberta, Deputy Fire
Chief Tim Vandenbrink, spoke persuasively about the importance of fire prevention. Les Karpluk followed with an
excellent presentation about how to "Be
the Leader Through the Challenge of
Change".
The Association of Yukon Fire Chief
then held their Annual General Meeting
which featured Kevin Lyslo being acclaimed as our new Vice-President.
Everyone seemed delighted that Kevin
accepted the position. The rest of the
executive is looking forward to working
with him. The Vice- President's position became available because our
long time Vice-President, Clive
Sparks, has retired and moved to BC.
The official closing of the 2014 Conference and the formal closing banquet took
place at the Klondike Institute for Arts
and Culture on Saturday evening.
After the banquet of incredibly tasty
food catered by the Cheechako Bakeshop
and a poignant keynote speech by Tim
Vandenbrink; the Minister of Community Services the Honourable Brad Cathers; and Commissioner of Yukon the
Mike Setterington, Golden Horn
Jim Regimbal, Dawson City Fire
Volunteer Fire Department,
received his 5 year plaque.
Charlie McLaren, Golden Horn
Volunteer Fire Department, received his 20 year bar and his 20
year Exemplary Service Medal.
Kevin Lyslo, Whitehorse Fire
Chief and AYFC Vice-President
received his 20 year bar.
Ken Oppold, Whitehorse Fire
Honourable Doug Phillips; presented
Long Service and Exemplary Service
awards to eight fire chiefs and firefighters. These, along with the presenters, are
listed below and are shown left to right:
Congratulations to all the recipients
Chief and AYFC President
of their well deserved awards and
thank you to all of them for so many
Bob Atkinson, Ibex Valley Volunteer Fire Chief and AYFC Sec- years of dedication!
retary received his 20 year Exem- In addition to the Long and Exemplary Service Medal.
plary Service Awards, a special
plaque was presented to retired
Clive Sparks, Whitehorse Fire
Whitehorse Fire Chief Clive Sparks
Dept. received his 45 year bar.
to honour and thank him for his 45
years of service to the citizens of
Whitehorse and Yukon.
The photo to the left here shows
Commissioner Doug Phillips is
shown here presenting Chief Sparks
with his plaque on behalf of the Association of Yukon Fire Chiefs.
Dept. received his 25 year bar.
Dayne Jones, Whitehorse Fire
Dept. received his 5 year plaque.
Kevin Taylor, Deputy Fire Mar-
shal, received his 25 year bar.
Equally important, but not shown
here, was the armful of beautiful
flowers and the extended, standing
ovation by everyone in the room for
Kim Sparks for so many years of
dedicated support of her husband
Clive.
Dennis Berry, the Yukon Fire
Marshal (who paid for the banquet!).
The Honourable Brad Cathers,
Minister of Community Services.
The Honourable Doug Phillips,
Commissioner of Yukon.
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Spruce Grove’s Deputy Fire Chief Tim
Vandenbrink, our Keynote Speaker,
talked about accepting change and taking
Fire Prevention into the future.
Many
Thanks
to our
After
Dinner
Speakers
Fire Marshal Dennis Berry said that the
Fire Service is appreciated by all Yukoners and all government investment in the
Fire Service is well worth it.
Retired Fire Chief Clive Sparks explained
that the upcoming Yukon wide 911 is
being pushed through because it’s the
right thing to do and the right time.
Yukon Commissioner Doug Phillips,
whose son is a firefighter in Vancouver,
emphasized that the Fire Service is
highly trusted by the public.
Community Services Minister praised the
Fire Services for their dedication and
reported on its many recent
advancements in Yukon
Klondike MLA Sandy Silver praised
Clive Sparks for his many years of
service and for being an inspiration to
those who know him.
Dawson City Mayor Wayne Potoroka
praised the award recipients, the Live Fire
Training Facility; the firefighters’ dedication and their “ I got your back” principle.
3
Fire Chief Jim Regimbal thanked firefighter
families; all who helped with the symposium
and Clive Sparks for his many years of service. He said: “Change has to be walked.”
The Live Fire Training Centre was a very popular and much appreciated facility that was well utilized
during the 22nd Annual AYF Fire Service Symposium and Trade Exhibition in Dawson City this year.
Firefighters have just wrapped up one training evolution and are deciding on the subsequent one.
Training facilitators are discussing the success of the recent training evolution and any changes required.
A Oldie but a Goody!
A Platoon Chief needed to use the pay phone, but didn’t have change for a dollar. He saw a probationary firefighter mopping the
floors, and asked him: “Hey, Rookie, do you have change for a dollar?” The firefighter replied: "Sure." The Platoon Chief gave him
an icy stare and said, “That’s no way to address a superior officer! Now let’s try it again. Firefighter, do you have change for a dollar?” The young firefighter replied, “No, Sir!” and continued mopping.
4
Camp Ember
The Camp Ember, all female, Firefighting Cadets with Minister Elaine Taylor (standing third form the left)
Camp Ember, sponsored by
Fire Marshal's Office, was
Yukon’s first female firefighting
camp. It ran from August 11-15,
2014, at Yukon College and
Golden Horn Fire Department’s
training area.
This intensive, hands-on, fire
service based camp was enthusiastically attended by eleven
women aged of 16 to 25. They
were exposed to the fire service
with the hope that some will
consider a career in this male
dominated field.
The camp was a great success!
The Camp Embers Operations Team
5
Congratulations to “SHEPHERDS OF FIRE”, the crew from our Fire Marshal’s Office, who ran the Ucluelet
Edge to Edge marathon in June! In the male relay team category they finished 8th out of 55 teams, completing the
marathon in 3 hours, 29 minutes and 59 seconds at a pace of 4.59.
It was a marathon filled with incredible scenery - crashing waves, beautiful views, beaches, and wildlife. The
course wound its way through the seaside village of Ucluelet with a portion of the course running on the spectacular Wild Pacific Trail. The trail was hard-packed and nicely graded with the most amazing views of the Pacific
Ocean -- absolutely breathtaking!
Left to right are: James Paterson, Kevin Taylor, Dennis Berry and Wayne Smyth.
These guys walk their talk about fitness.
6
Coaching the Emergency Vehicle Operator™ (CEVO)
Assembled April 27, 2014 in the new Whistle Bend subdivision of Whitehorse are students, trainers and auditors of the Pre-Trip
& Emergency Vehicle Operator course. Left to right are: Jeff Boyd, Demien Meroni, Paul Gray, Ben Kinvig, Kiara Adams, Warren Zakus, Kevin Taylor, Claire Desmaraise and Bob Melanson. The students are from Golden Horn and Mount Lorne.
The Fire Marshal’s Office in keeping with
teaching the skills to
bring Yukon firefighters up to the required
NFPA level, has been
teaching a Pre-Trip &
Emergency Vehicle Operator course throughout Yukon.
This course, which is
also called Coaching
the Emergency Vehicle
Operator™
(CEVO),
helps firefighters be-
come more comfortable and confident controlling the fire truck.
The first day of this two
day course entailed
mostly theory work in
the classroom.
The second day entailed, as required by
NFPA 1002 Driver Operator, all hands on
training, reviewing and
coaching in a closed
cone course including:
 Serpentine
 Diminishing Lane
 Confined space
.
turnaround
 Alley Backing
 Decision Making
Driving in traffic was
also included,
The students and the
instructors had fun as
they found that inform
-ation flows best when
it flows back and forth
between students and
instructors.
7
Yukon Fire Service Team Successfully competes in the
2014 Klondike Trail of ‘98 International Road Relay
The 2014 Yukon Fire Service Team
On September 5 &6 , 2014 the Yukon Fire Service competed in this exhilarating overnight relay with 155
other 10 member teams, by running about 17-1/2 hours through the Coast Mountains. They started in Skagway, Alaska, followed the Klondike Highway past the Southern Lakes region to Whitehorse and finished
along the Yukon River in Whitehorse. They followed the trail of the Gold Rush Stampeders over the famous
White Pass. The Yukon Fire Service team members and their sections of the course were:
th
th
Leg 1 - Tim Sellars (Golden Horn VFD) - Race start time 2030 / Distance 14.0km
Leg 2 - Dana Sellars - 2200/ (Civilian) Distance 9.0km
Leg 3 - Kevin Taylor - 2300 / (FMO) Distance 12.5km
Leg 4 - Jillian Dean - 0015 / (Civilian) Distance 21.0km
Leg 5 - Ben Kinvig - 0245 / (Mount Lorne VFD) Distance 22.2km
Leg 6 - James Paterson - 0445 / (FMO) Distance 25.6km
Leg 7 - Wayne Smyth - 0715 / (FMO) Distance 14.0km
Leg 8 - Kiara Adams - 0830 / (IBEX VALLEYVFD) Distance 19.8km
Leg 9 - Stephanie Hedley - 1030 / (EMS/EMBER Graduate) Distance 17.6km
Leg 10 - Shaun Cooke -1215 / (Mount Lorne VFD) Distance 19.3km
Support staff included: Mike Marcuson – FMO, Stacie Zaychuck – Mendenhall VFD and Warren Zakus –
Ibex Valley VFD. The Yukon Fire Service team beat their sister team (Community Services) and placed 9th
out of 27 in the Corporate Division and 56th overall. Physical fitness certainly has come a long way in the
Yukon Fire Service. Well Done Team!
8
Tagish VFD Gets New Fire Truck
Spirits were high on May 24 this
year when Fire Marshal Berry, grinning from ear to ear, delivered the
new Fort Garry fire fighting tender
to the Tagish Fire Hall on a beautiful, warm, spring Saturday.
In the lower photo is Minster Brad
Cathers flanked by Fire Marshal
Berry and RCMP Constables Potter
and Roulieu from Carcross on the
left and the members of the Tagish
Fire Department on the right.
9
The community made the event a
festive occasion with a happy, wecoming, Tagish neighbourhood get
together and barbecue.
A good time was had by all.
Tagish Fire Department distributes
House Numbers for 911 Response and
Combination Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Alarms
to the Community.
Tagish Fire Department Volunteer, Linda Heymen, is seen here giving out a combination CO/smoke alarm and a house number to a resident during the May 24, 2014
festivities at the Tagish Fire Hall. She distributed 45 alarms that Saturday. The fire
department later distributed the remaining alarms to local elders.
10
Association of Yukon Fire Chiefs Helps
Protect First Nations from Carbon Monoxide
In January Aboriginal
Affairs & Northern
Development Canada
(AANDC)
funded
AYFC with $20,000
to deliver combination carbon monoxide/smoke alarms to
the six First Nations
in Yukon and extreme Northern BC
who have not yet settled their land claim
agreements and for
whom, AANDC main
-tains an active fiduciary responsibility.
In addition, Yukon’s
Fire Marshal added
$2,000 to buy some
alarms at the price
that Kidde had arranged with AYFC.
We ordered the alarms in the spring
and received them in late July.
During the month of August this
year, AYFC Executive member, Tyrone Larkin, who had the time and
who having worked for AANDC for
some seventeen years was familiar
with the First Nation communities,
drove throughout Yukon and extreme Northern BC, met with First
Nation administrators and delivered
hard wired and battery operated
units to the Taku River Tlingit First
Nation at Atlin, BC; the Ross
River Dena Council; the Daylu
Dena Council at Lower Post,
BC; the Dease River First Nation at
Good Hope Lake, BC; the Liard
First Nation at Watson Lake, YT;
and the White River First Nation at
Beaver Creek, YT. All the administrators were delighted to receive
them and promised to install them
quickly.
Once the project was completed in
and the remaining units were delivered via AYFC President Jim
Regimbal to the Fire Marshal during
the Symposium in Dawson City in
late August.
Thanks to AANDC and the Yukon
Fire Marshal there are some five
hundred homes in the North where
the occupants are now protected
from death or poisoning by carbon
monoxide or smoke. AYFC is extremely grateful for all the funding
and believes that it was money
well spent
Combination Carbon Monoxide/ Smoke Alarms ready for distribution
11
The scene was set for the 2014 Fallen Firefighters Ceremony across from the War Museum in Ottawa
Destination Ottawa!
-Submitted by Michael Crowe
Ottawa was the destination of choice
this September for many Canadian fire
service personnel. The second Sunday
in September saw the 2014 Fallen Firefighter Ceremony held at the memorial, across from the War Museum, on
Parliament Hill.
Sheraton Hotel, on Friday the 12th and
the CVFSA hosted a hospitality suite
that evening.
On Saturday morning the CVFSA
AGM took place at the Delta Hotel.
Their special guest speaker, Denis Lauzon, Fire Chief of Lac
Mégantic, Québec spoke
of the events that occurred
in Lac Mégantic after the
train derailment on July 6,
2013. He shared some
photos that have not been
seen before, and told
about the fire and explosion that forever changed
his town .
Saturday afternoon witnessed a rehearsal for
those who wished to march in Sunday's
memorial parade.
The service was deeply touching and poignant.
This year's honorary host, representing
80% of the fire service, was CVFSA—
the Canadian Volunteer Fire Services
Association .
The Canadian Fallen Firefighter Foundation (CFFF) Store opened at the
Following that was a "Meet and Greet"
in the Centre Block of the Parliament
Buildings. This was open to all CFFF
supporters and firefighters.
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The Canadian Fallen Firefighter Memorial
If all this wasn't enough, "2014 FireRescue Canada" kicked off Sunday. The Opening Ceremony for the
Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs
was at the Westin Hotel.
This was a great opportunity to connect
with members of the fire service, from
across the country!
TRAINING INFORMATION
from Deputy Fire Marshal Marcuson
Updated 2014-09-24
Oct. 15–Nov 19. Fire Service Administration
This will be an online course and seats are limited.
Fire Officer and Senior Fire Fighter Requirement
Oct. 24-26
Pre-Trip/Lock-Out Procedures and Emergency Vehicle Operator
For all drivers!
Must have valid Class 5 Licence and be 18 years of age or older
Coveralls are required for the Friday Pre-Trip
Deputy Fire Marshal Mike Marcuson
Location – Ibex Valley or Hootalinqua TBD
Start Time – 19:00 hours on Friday. 09:00 hours on Saturday and Sunday
Catering – Lunch will be provided
26th Apparatus from Golden Horn, Hootalinqua & Ibex Valley will be utilized
Nov. 2
Introduction to Hazardous Material Awareness
Pre-requisites – Fire Fighter Basic
Location - Whitehorse FD – Station 2
Start Time – To be determined
Catering – Lunch will be provided
Nov. 14–16
Pre-Trip / Lock-Out Procedures & Emergency Vehicle Operator
For all drivers! Must have valid Class 5 Licence and be 18 years of age or older
Coveralls are required for the Friday Pre-Trip
Location – Golden Horn
Start Time – 19:00 hours on Friday. 09:00 hours on Saturday and Sunday
Catering – Lunch will be provided
Nov. 16th Apparatus from Golden Horn, Hootalinqua & Ibex Valley will be utilized
Nov. 20–23
Hazardous Material Operations
Pre-requisites – Fire Fighter Advanced and Hazmat Awareness
Location - Golden Horn
Start Time – To be determined
Catering – Lunch will be provided
Nov. 26
Infectious Disease Control- Blood Borne Pathogens–Oxygen Administration (IDC-BBP-O2)
A Minimum Requirement – For Everyone!
Location: Whitehorse FD – Station 2
Start Time – 19:00 hours
Dec. 12-14
Rapid Intervention Team (RIT)
Pre-requisites – Fire Fighter 1 and Fire Ground Survival (self-study online course)
2 Fire Ground Survival student manuals have been printed and sent to every Fire Hall.
The online course can be found at http://www.iaff.org/et/lms/
Location: Golden Horn
Start Time – 19:00 hourson Friday. 09:00 Hours on the Saturday & Sunday
Use the fire departments’ 4 X 4’s and Suburban’s to transport members to and from training.
FMO can assist Fire Departments with costs (travel and accommodations) for up to 2 members to attend courses.
Note: Locations and times are subject to change
Instructors/Evaluators can be arranged for other topics when required.
Contact FMO Deputy Fire Marshals Mike Marcuson or James Paterson to coordinate
13
Yukon Firefighters Participate in
the Mothers Day Run for Mum
Five Yukon Firefighters participated in
this year’ Mothers Day “Run for Mom”
event to raise money for breast cancer research. Donnovan Misener, Tom Sweetland, Ben Kinvig, Torry Weibe, and Deputy Fire Marshal James Paterson all ran in
full turnout gear replacing only the heavy
firefighter boots with lighter footwear.
Some also ran using self contained breathing apparatus.
Left to right are Donnovan Misener, Tom Sweetland, Ben Kinvig,
Torry Weibe, and Deputy Fire Marshal James Paterson
Paterson, when asked for his comment,
explained that “Firefighters have to be
tough to go through their training and to
do their job, but what they go through
can’t compare to what cancer victims and
their families go through –those people
are tough!”
James Paterson also ran in the September 14th
Terry Fox Run held in Whitehorse along the
Yukon River, in full turnout gear running on air. It
took him thirty-four minutes including a stop to
change air bottles at the Millennium Bridge. He
used two sixty minute bottles, burning through the
eighty-eight cubic feet of air in each bottle in about
seventeen minutes. “That’s right though the low
air alarm until the mask was suctioning my face”
Paterson stated that although he typically runs five
kilometres in twenty-four minutes at a heart rate of
130-135, he recorded burning 630 Calories with an
average heart rate of 158 because the work demand on the body with the gear on while breathing
from the air pack is tremendous!
The members of the Fire Marshal’s Office are obviously “practising what they preach” as they encourage Yukon firefighters to be medically and
physically fit.
14
James Paterson and Ben Kinvig finish off the “Run
For Mom” on Mothers Day. Ben, a great teammate,
ran the leg, took some of his gear off and came back
for James, the only firefighter running on air.
Successful HazMat Medium Risk Incident Course
Takes Place at Golden Horn
From May 24 to 29, 2014, about a dozen Yukon fire chiefs and firefighters gathered at Golden Horn to participate in theoretical and hands on training in how to respond to and address medium risk hazardous materials incidents. The instructors from the BC Justice Institute stressed personal and team safety, using the Incident Command System, planning the response to the incident and decontamination after the incident had been dealt with.
Sufficient breathing apparatus and HazMat response suits were available to make response to the scenario of a
Chlorine bottle leaking realistic. The students and the instructors interacted well, the lessons were learned and
Yukon now has improved HazMat response to medium risk incidents. The following photos present a step by step
perspective of the scenario used as a training example.
Trainers and Coordinators
Found it! A Chlorine bottle’s leaking!
The chains.
Hmmm, What’s going on in there?
I’ll go get the tools.
Let’s move this thing outside.
15
Look! It’s down there!
The tool kit.
This one should work.
You hold it, I’ll turn it.
There, that should work.
There, that’s better.
Time for decontamination.
#$%^&#!
It’s crooked.
Got to do the head, too.
Let’s try it again.
I feel clean now.
The Participants L to R Top Row are: Fire Chief Scott Maclean (Watson Lake), Platoon Chief Barry Blisner (Whitehorse FD), DFM
James Paterson, DFM Kevin Taylor, Nick Carrol (Whitehorse FD), Platoon Chief Dave Dowie, Donnovan Misener (Airport and
FMO), Brent Coxx (JIBC HazMat Instructor). Bottom Row: Perry Schnarr (JIBC HazMat Instructor), Chief Colin O’Neil (Mount
Lorne), Tom Luxemberger (Airport FD), D/ Chief Joyia Chakungal (Mendenhall), Captain Rob Schnider (Marsh Lake), Tyler Triggs
16
Meet the Fire Chief
Name:
Community:
Age:
From:
Background:
Fire Chief Scott MacLean
Watson Lake
37
Cape Breton
Scott started with the East Bay Volunteer Fire
Department in Cape Breton at the age of 19.
In 2006 he moved to Yukon with his wife, Jean,
who is now principal of the Watson Lake Secondary School.
They live on their farm in Upper Liard just past the golf course. While serving on the Upper Liard Volunteer Fire Department. He was hired as Fire
Chief by the Town of Watson Lake in 2013.
In the summer of 2013 at Lakeland College in Vermillion, Alberta, Scott
completed the three month NFPA 1001 course which he describes as "a
good course, with good background and good hands-on."
Thoughts:
He stated that “Watson Lake
Vol. Fire Department was in
“good shape” when I took it
over .”
Plans:
Scott plans to continue following the Fire Marshal’s
Office’s training curriculum
to develop the Watson Lake
Firefighters, and to develop
a fire inspection plan and a
formal prevention plan for
his community.
Other:
The Watson Lake Volunteer
Fire Department is also the
primary responder to upper
Liard and Lower Post, BC.
It's great to have Scott as a member of the
Association of Yukon Fire Chiefs and we are
looking forward to his contributions.
17
Fire Marshal Messages and · CO calls are increasing as more
Musings (from the Dawson Conference) Yukon residents have become aware
of the dangers of CO.
The Fire Marshal's Office is working
· Multi-gas detectors will be available
to meet the challenge of change assoto the fire departments to aid in these
ciated with Yukon Worker's Compencalls.
sation Health and Safety Board's directive to improve the health and fit- · FMO now has a rapid response
ness of firefighters in the Yukon Fire trailer which has a number of tools
including a portable cascade system
Service.
for SCBA refilling on scene.
The Government is looking at finalizing the carbon monoxide regulations · There are plans to put together a 15
which will require a carbon monoxide KW generator set on a trailer that
detector in every home in Yukon. This will deployable to the scene or to a
fire hall during a power outage.
initiative is important.
Dawson City fire department has al- Operations
· Hazmat Technicians Course. The
goal is to build a hazmat team accessible to all of Yukon.
· Building
Collapse
Technicians
course will occur in the next year.
· Emergency Scene Management responsibilities, mass casualties, etc.
· Camp Ember was the Fire Marshal's
first attempt to plan for the future of
Gold Horn or has a new pumper truck the fire service in Yukon by exposing young women to the fire service
and it is now in service.
with the hopes that there will be ruBeaver Creek is having a new, $3.7 ral and municipal candidates in the
million dollar fire hall built, this will course next year.
include space for EMS and SAR and
“WITHOUT PROPER TRAINING WE ARE BYis expected to be complete Oct 31.
STANDERS IN FANCY OUTFITS.
Redesign of Carcross fire hall is underway. This building will include Training
space for EMS and SAR. The design Training is critical. Please call us for
will be based on the Golden Horn.
assistance. “Without proper training
A mini-pumper with CAFF systems we are by-standers in fancy outfits”.
will be placed in service with the There are increases in the number of
Dawson City Fire department and will firefighters and officers taking the
be used to aid responses to West Daw- leadership, strategy and tactics
son. The new truck is lighter and will courses. Please keep this up.
be capable of crossing the ice bridge
Occupational Health and Safety
earlier and later than traditional fire
regulations are a challenge but they
trucks.
must be met.
Aging SCBAs are being retired and The Fire Marshal's office has proreplaced at the appropriate rate.
duced course modules to ensure that
There are plans to ensure that thermal people can meet our training regulaimaging cameras are in most fire tions within a timeframe that works
for them.
trucks.
ready blanketed the Klondike Valley
with $13K worth of carbon monoxide
alarms. Already one life being saved
has been documented. I want to thank
both the AYFC and the Dawson Firefighters Society for their leadership on
this project.
Some changes since last year:
Capital
18
Fire Marshal Dennis Berry at
the 2014 Symposium in
Dawson City
The medical and fitness require-
ments of the OHS are being addressed
The FMO has contracted Dr. Bremer
to certify firefighters as per the fitness levels.
Fitness exams will mirror training
levels
Prevention
 The FMO needs the fire records
right away for the statistics program.
 The Fire Marshal's Office is looking
into the possibility of creating a Volunteer Fire Prevention Officer position in communities in an effort to
ensure that prevention messaging is
reaching the people who need it
most. Some of the duties of the fire
prevention officer would be to undertake activities that would lower
fire exposure in the communities.
Mutual aid
Mutual aid and automatic aid is working. Please keep reaching out to your
brother and sister departments.
Every year the Fire Marshal asks for
assistance from the Yukon Fire Service, either to sit at a fire scene, assist with investigations, or often to
undertake investigations. We have
never been turned down for such a
request. I want to thank you all for
your help in making the Yukon a
safer place.
The Canadian Association of
Fire Chiefs President
provides a report
to the Yukon Symposium
Stephen Gamble, President of the
Canadian Association of Fire
Chiefs (CAFC), attended the
Symposium in Dawson City in
late August. He tries to attend as
many yearly fire chiefs’ provincial and territorial gatherings as
he can. Chief Gamble and his
wife appreciated the warm Yukon
hospitality they experienced in
Dawson. He spoke to the fire
chiefs gathered at the symposium,
giving an overview of what’s happening on the national scene.
Listed here are some of the highlights of his presentation:




The CAFC is a not-for-profit
association.
The members of the board can
now only be elected.
All of the positions on the executive board are elected and
the members can ask for review.
There is a president and five
directors.
 Elections are held in September.


Board members are encouraged to serve two year terms.
Fallen firefighter memorial
services are held in September
in Ottawa.

The volunteer tax credit is
working well now.
 The CAFC is playing a part to
have a common wavelength
(700 MHz ) throughout North
America for emergency services.
 Quebec emergency services
would have benefited from a
common wavelength, especially for the seniors' home
fire and the Lac Mégantic rail
line disaster.
 Because CAFC is a trusted advisor to government, there's a
heavy demand on the directors’ time to advise Ottawa.
 CAFC is working with government on recommendations regarding rail transport.
 The province of Quebec is
close to legislating sprinklers
in seniors complexes. Ontario
is also working on doing so.
 BC is working on a Unified
Building Code for the whole
province but requires changes
in the National Building Code
before it will require residential
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Stephen Gamble, CFO,
MIFireE
sprinklers in seniors complexes.
They're aiming for this code cycle, or next, if not possible now.
On the Lighter Side
A priest, a doctor and an engineer,
were playing golf. The group before them was so slow that they
waited hours at each hole. Finally
the priest asked around, why was
that other group so slow?
He was told that they were courageous firemen who lost their sight
when they saved the golf course
from a terrible fire a couple of years
ago. As a proof of appreciation they
were given the right to play on the
course whenever they wanted. They
enjoy that a lot, but being blind
they aren’t very good at hitting the
ball, or finding it after it’s hit.
The priest said: “Oh my, this is terrible! Tonight I’ll pray for these
courageous souls.”
The doctor heard that and said:
“Don’t worry. I’ll send them to a
friend of mine. He’s an ophthalmologist and he works wonders.”
The engineer said: “Why can’t they
just play at night?”
Notes from Les Karpluk’s Speaks to Yukon
Fire Chiefs about Leadership
Karpluk shared with the symposium
that LEADERSHIP IS A CRAFT that
depends on SEVEN CONDITIONS: TRUST
 The fire service is the most trusted
profession in North America.
 Trust as assured reliance on the
character, ability, strength, or truth
of something or someone.  Without trust our leadership is an
empty shell.
 Trust is very hard to earn and very
easy to lose.
 Once trust is broken it can never be
perfect again.
ACCOUNTABILITY
 Not talking about a blame game.
 Accountability is an obligation or
willingness to except responsibility,
to account for one's actions.
 "If you screw up - fess up.”
 Wrong is wrong even if everyone is
doing it.
 Right’s right even if no one’s doing it.
ATTITUDE
 Attitude is a feeling or emotion to-
wards a fact or state.
 A positive attitude is a key ingredi-
ent of leadership.
 Attitude is everything - it makes the
difference.
 The size of one's thinking is the
measurement of success.
 The only way to do good work is to
love what you do.
 "Stinkin' thinkin' " leads to the hardening of the attitudes.
 Positive change starts with you.
 Attitude is what separates the winners from the losers - the masters of
their craft from those that go
through the motions.
 You are in complete control of your
attitude.
 Positive attitude is essential to leading with passion.
ADVERSITY
 Adversity is a state, condition or
instance of serious or continued
adverse fortune.
 It always seems impossible until it's
done.
 When we are no longer able to
change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.
 Difficult does not mean impossible.
It just means you have to work hard.
 Be willing to draw on peer support.
 Do not make rash decisions while
emotionally overwhelmed.
 You grow your craft through adversity.
 Believe in your ability to survive
and you'll come out okay
 You control your thoughts, words
and actions.
DESIRE
Les Karpluk
Chief Karpluk began his career in the
Prince Albert Fire Department in 1982
and worked his way through the
ranks until becoming the Fire Chief in
2006. In 2009 Les was given the honour and recognition by the Canadian
Association of Fire Chiefs as the FullTime Career Chief of the Year.
 To exhibit or feel desire is the most
necessary condition for leadership.
 What do I desire to improve today?
 Why do I desire to become a leader?
 What do I desire to accomplish as a
leader?
 Am I willing to pay the price for my
desire to become leader?
 Leadership is about your passion for
excellence and for making a difference.
SELF-AWARENESS
 This is an awareness of one's own
personality or individuality.
 The reality of a man is his thought.
What he thinks he becomes.
 Who am I?
 Am I ready to stand out against the
crowd?
 Be yourself.
FORGIVENESS
 Forgiveness is when you can say
thank you for that experience.
 Forgive and move on and let go of
the rope of anger
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This past February Chief Karpluk retired from the fire department with
over three decades of service. Chief
Les Karpluk (retired) has contributed
to writing over 60 magazine articles
and has spoken about fire service
leadership at numerous conferences
across Canada. Through his writing
and blogging he strives to breakdown leadership into manageable
bite-size pieces and believes that we
can learn when we work together.
Les is no stranger to post secondary
education and is in avid life-long
learner. He has certificates in Fire Service Leadership and Fire Service Administration from Dalhousie University, Bachelor of Applied Business:
Emergency Services from Lakeland
College and numerous courses from
other post secondary institutions.
Les has Chief Fire Officer designation
and is a former chair of the CAFC
Chief Fire Officer Council
The Last Alarm
the Yukon Fire Marshal’s Office and They knew where I was going and
the Executive of the Association of trusted you to bring me home.
Yukon Fire Chiefs.
Well, now I'm home and wait for them,
Dave’s dedication to the fire depart- keep them within the faith.
ment and his community were the So that one day, we'll be together in this
place.
main themes of the presentations at
the service so sensitively led by pas- And O Dear God, bless my men, I
tor Tim Colwell. Dave was one of trained them best I could.
I tried to do your will with them and
ours. We will miss him.
lead them as you would.
I need to know you’re with them Lord
or else how can I stay
I am called to many duties Lord and And peacefully enjoy this place of endless day?
now I've been called home.
I've had to leave the ones I love to stand This heaven where there is no night, no
before your throne.
fire to kill and burn,
The Fire Chief’s Prayer
David Windsor
Dec. 22, 1958 — Sept. 13, 2014
I'll not complain. It's not my way, but
there are some things I'll ask.
On September 13, 2014 Ross River And please, Lord, grant them to me for
Fire Chief Dave Windsor left us the loved ones I hold fast.
peacefully at the Whitehorse Hospi- I dare to ask because I know how much
you've blessed us in the past.
I guess that's why its now my place of
rest, my turn.
And Lord, be with my community and
keep it safe as it can be,
For all its folks are special, and very
dear to me.
tal. Dave had bravely fought cancer
I've learned to trust in your grace, O They are all my friends, and by your
for the last 21 months.
Lord. That's how I've come this far.
His memorial service, which was So now, O God, I humbly pray hear this grace I served as best I could.
So hear this Fire Chief's prayer, O Lord
held on October 1, 2014 at the Hope Fire Chief's prayer.
and grant it please -Centre in Ross River, was attended Bless my wife and family -- so often left
by family, friends, local fire fighters, alone.
I already knew you would.
At Dave Windsor’s memorial service, his photo
and fire chief’s uniform
are shown respectfully
honoured and flanked by
Yukon Fire Marshal
Dennis Berry; Deputy
Fire Marshal Kevin Taylor; four of the young
fire fighters that Dave
recruited and trained;
and Tyrone Larkin representing the Executive
of the Association of
Yukon Fire Chiefs.
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MINUTES OF AYFC
Aug. 23, 2014 AGM
Dawson City, Yukon
Attendees:
Jim Regimbal
Clive Sparks
Ken Oppold
Tyrone Larkin
Boyd Pyper
Bob Atkinson
Kevin Lyslo
Sebastion Nadeau
Dan Nickason
Don McKnight
Charlie McLaren
Dave Welin
Dave Guhl
Rob Schneider
Scott MacLean
Call to Order at 1505 hrs
Adoption of Agenda:
Moved by Dan Nickason
Seconded by Jeff Stephenson Carried
Adoption of 2013 minutes:
Moved by Rob Schneider
Seconded by Dan Nickason Carried
Reports:
President: The Fire Prevention Act is
being revised and FMO will update
this at the January meeting 2015. Further information will be covered later
in the agenda. Thanks to the rest of
the executive for their help and specially Clive Sparks.
Boyd Pyper moved to adopt the report.
Seconded by Rob Schneider. Carried
Treasurer’s Report:
Moved to adopt by Jeff Stephenson.
Seconded by Don McKnight Carried
Moved by Dan Nickason
Seconded by Rob Schneider. Carried
Secretary: Update on the Yukon Fire
Service Awards and Chiefs encouraged to send in the list of their Firefighters with start dates so their service can be recognized.
New Business:
Moved to adopt by Dan Nickason.
Seconded by Jeff Stephenson Carried
1) Life Membership
Motion to nominate Clive Sparks for
Life Membership in the Association of
Yukon Fire Chiefs by Bob Atkinson.
Seconded by Jim Regimbal.
Unanimously Carried
Old Business:
1) Territory wide 911
2) Next Seminar- when and where
As no one volunteered right away it was
decided that all should think it over and
YG has sent in the relevant material
to CRTC for action.
get back to the executive within 2 months
The time line here is unknown but
hopefully sooner than later.
President:
Clive Sparks nominated Jim Regimbal.
No other nominations were put forward.
Acclaimed
Vice-president:
As Chief Sparks has retired we have to
elect a new Vice-president Clive Sparks
nominated Kevin Lyslo.
No other nominations were put forward.
Acclaimed
Treasurer:
Clive Sparks nominated Tyrone
Larkin
No other nominations were put forward.
Acclaimed
2) Presumptive Cancer Legislation
This is now in place to include volunteer firefighters and took effect in
March 2014. The number of incidents attended does not affect coverage.
3) Fire Chief’s Remuneration
It was proposed by Rick Smith to readdress this in 3 years but it is now 5
years. President Regimbal will contact him for a review of the current
situation. Most seemed happy with
the way things are now.
Election of Officers:
Motion to Adjourn at 1550
4) Special Resolution to Waive the
audit for a Category “B” society
Your Association of Yukon Fire Chiefs Executive
President
Jim Regimbal
Dawson City VFD
Vice-President
Kevin Lyslo
Whitehorse Fire Dept.
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Secretary
Bob Atkinson
Ibex Valley
Treasurer
Tyrone Larkin
Retired
Our Faithful Suppliers Who Attend Year After Year
23
Some of Our Suppliers’ Business Cards
24
“Where Are They Now?”
the last six weeks of the year. During
our visit in July he was already allowing
his beard to grow longer, in preparation
for Christmas. He makes a marvellous
Santa Claus.
Niall is also a dedicated first responder
for the group that supplies the local ambulance in his area. He sends his best
wishes to all the ambulance and firefighter first responders in Yukon.
When asked if we were the only visitors
from Yukon, he replied: “No, you're the
first visitors from the Yukon.”
Niall and Collette welcome all to come
over and see them. Editor’s
Corner
Collette and Niall Sheridan Invite you to come visit them in Athlone, Ireland.
When your Treasurer and Hoselines editor and publisher, Tyrone Larkin and his
wife, Diane, travelled to Ireland this past
summer, they were able to track down
and visit dear, long time friend, Niall
Sheridan - our Association’s first Fire
Service Chaplain. Niall and his wife,
Colette, are doing well and living in a
classic, peaceful, beautiful rural setting
just outside of Athlone,
in the
“Midlands” of the Emerald Isle.
Ireland, Scotland, Wales & England, and
Father Protector of European Communities, officiating at marriages, celebrating
Mass & caring for the flock.
Niall also supplies another much loved
service in his area - he visits homes and
social functions as Santa Claus during
In addition to breeding and cultivating
bees for their honey, he is successfully
studying for a Bachelor of Science in
Toxicology - a four year course at
Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT)
where he also serves as the Mature Students Officer. He promotes full involvement of mature students in the academic
& social life of the AIT community and
works with the other Students' Union
officers, clubs, societies and AIT as a
whole to promote developing and integrating mature students in the college.
The last five months
have been busy for all
the Yukon Fire Service
but I have been travelling and missed a lot.
Thank you to those who
suggested articles or
submitted information.
To Dawson City VFD
and their Fire Chief Jim
Tyrone Larkin Regimbal - Well done on
the 22nd Annual Symposium!
To the Yukon Fire Marshal’s Office Well done on walking your fitness talk!
To my dear friend, Clive Sparks, happy
retirement and let’s keep in touch.
To the late Dave Windsor - Good Bye
and thanks for your dedicated service!
To my wife, Diane, thank you for invaluable proofreading of my rough work!
To all our dedicated fire service people,
keep up the good work. “Work performed
in the spirit of service is worship”!
`
It is my pleasure to produce this newsletter for you. I hope you like it.
Hoselines is published under the auspices
of the Association of Yukon Fire Chiefs,
P.O. Box31353 Whitehorse, YT, Y1A5P7
Questions, ideas or comments
are welcomed and encouraged
by the Tyrone Larkin—Editor,
(867) 332-6788
[email protected]
He also fills the roles in the Reformed
Catholic Church of Archbishop for all
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