The British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters (BCPFF) conducted a half-day fire ground operations orientation (Fire Ops 101) for elected public officials, administrators or MLAs during the recent Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention with a City of Cranbrook councilor taking part.

The event was held on September 16 from 12 – 4 p.m. at the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Training Center.

“I would like to thank Cranbrook Firefighters Gregory Green and Clayton Murrell for sponsoring me at the event in Vancouver,” says Councillor Denise Pallesen. “I spent three hours with 38 participants from around the province and many firefighters, experiencing a very small part of their training. We suited up in all the gear, including full face shield, balaclava, helmet and oxygen tank. We were able to use the Jaws of Life to pry open a car door, put fires out in a burning vehicle and a burning building as well as ‘try’ to hold a charged fire hose. The toughest part for me was completing the obstacle course blindfolded; and, thanks to the encouragement of Gregory and Clayton, I was able to do that. Many thanks to Gregory Green, Clayton Murrell and both Cranbrook and Vancouver fire departments for this amazing opportunity.”

This was a controlled situation, but provided an opportunity for the participants to see and feel what fire fighters deal with on a daily basis.

“As a member local of the BCPFFA, we were pleased and honoured to have Councillor Pallesen participate in this activity,” says Gregory Green, Firefighter with Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services. “We believe this provided her a perspective on our issues as never seen before.”

(Left to right) – Councillor Denise Pallesen; Steve Darling – Global TV; Gregory Green – Cranbrook Firefighter; Sophie Lui – Global TV and Clayton Murrell – Cranbrook Firefighter.

Photo courtesy British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters Association (BCPFFA)

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