Invermere Fire-Rescue (IFR) has been given the go-ahead to conduct a live burn training exercise.

District of Invermere council’s unanimous approval of the live burn, to take place at the old Dobson house (at the Toby Creek Canyon entrance side of Athalmer), caught IFR deputy chief Tom McNeill by surprise.

“I fully anticipate ‘no,’” he whispered Feb. 14 shortly after council approved the burn.

The district barred the IFR from conducting live burn exercises about six or seven years ago, citing air quality concerns.

“To some land owners it was a cheap way to get rid of some buildings,” as a way to save on tipping fees for demolition, said Mayor Gerry Taft.

However, the old Dobson home, as the site was referred to, is located far enough away from other residences as to make it desirable for “a structural collapse exercise,” said district chief administrative officer Chris Prosser. “It’s in a relatively safe area. There is no real hazard.”

Council members expressed their support for the IFR and for the training of its members.

“Why wouldn’t we? It makes sense,” said Coun. Greg Anderson.

Taft said it will offer IFR members “first-hand experience that is invaluable.”

McNeill said invitations would be sent to neighbouring fire departments to join the IFR in the exercise – with a date pending. “A lot of planning would go into it,” he said.

Fire chief Roger Ekman said a live burn exercise will benefit the many new members of the IFR.

“Learning on the job at a scene of an actual emergency does not produce a desired result. For safety, training has to be a controlled event with the opportunity to do repeated scenarios to show the new firefighter what works best and why,” he said, adding, “Training in a simulator is all fine and good; however, live burn training puts all the pieces of the puzzle into one package and this becomes a learning tool.”

Ekman noted in a letter to council that pre-burn preparation work will be done to cut down on hazards.

“This work will include the removal of asphalt shingles and the asphalt wall coverings. As well, the contractor will remove trees to control exposures,” he stated.

‘Marginal’ increase in calls for IFR

Invermere Fire-Rescue (IFR) responded to 90 calls for help/service in 2011.

It was a “marginal increase” in call volumes, reported IFR Chief Roger Ekman to council.

Forty-five calls were for fires and 20 were for rescues, while 15 calls out were for public education and a further 10 calls were listed as “other” in the report. July was the busiest month with 19 calls to the IFR.

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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