By Mark Squibb
Witless Bay council last week approved the purchase of high angle rescue equipment for the fire department at a total cost of $950, plus HST.
“If they don’t get the gear, they can’t do the training,” said councillor Ralph Carey.
The motion was approved unanimously.
As per the monthly fire department update, presented by councillor Justina Nawaz, the team responded to a total of 139 emergency calls from January 1 to May 1 of this year. Calls included traffic accidents, vehicle fires, brush fires, and medical emergencies. Some 17 members recently completed a comprehensive traffic management course designed to help them manage traffic during emergency incidents. A number of other training activities have been planned for this spring and summer.
In light of recent fires, the department advises residents to not burn during dry or windy conditions, adhere to burning restrictions issued by local authorities, clear the area of combustible materials such as vegetation before starting a fire, keep a fire extinguisher on hand, and allow ashes to cool completely before disposal. The department is also encouraging people to report suspicious burnings.
