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MISSION
STATEMENT
To provide service
to the community by protecting life,
property and environment through
prevention, public education and
emergency response with well maintained
equipment and highly trained, dedicated
personnel.
The Mill Bay Fire
Department is a progressive department,
using the National Fire Protection
Standard 1001, and the British Columbia
Fire Fighter Certification Programs as a
basis for Officer and Firefighter
Training. This has resulted in a well
trained and effective Fire Service
Operation. The Department employs the
Incident Command System for Emergency
Incidents, resulting in a safe and
efficient emergency scene.
The Mill Bay Fire
Department has a strong commitment to
fire safety. The Department offers
public fire and life safety education
programs, varying from lectures on fire
safety to extinguisher training for
local businesses. A Fire Safety House
provides
Fire Safety
Education to children and their parents.
We are committed
to personal and professional
development. We encourage training,
education, and skill development on an
on-going basis. The Mill Bay Fire
Department is committed to a
comprehensive safety program that
recognizes the inherent hazards of our
profession. We are committed to policies
that encourage the mental and physical
health of our workforce.
The Mill Bay Fire
Department strives to offer the best
fire service possible to its customers
within the Mill Bay Fire Protection
District and within the guidelines and
resources afforded its board of
trustees.
We encourage pride
in our department and pride in the
quality of our work. Our conduct, both
on and off duty, is a reflection of our
professional commitment. We will ensure
the best possible service for our
community.
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The Mill Bay
Fire Department is a volunteer
organization providing public safety
services to the residents of Mill Bay
and Cobble Hill. Its mission is the protection
and preservation of life and property
for the people it serves.
It is
committed to doing so through the
provision of quality cost effective services in
the areas of fire suppression, rescue
and extrication, and emergency
First Responder / Medical Assist
services. |
This
Department as with others on the coast
had their start in the early 1940s, as
Civil Defence Guild Fire Halls, Mill Bay
was Guild Hall # 30.
The first
Chiefs that we have been able to find
mention of are John Gardom and Fred
Bartneck. Gordon Hayes became Chief in
Dec 1950, and under his leadership
formed The Mill Bay Volunteer Fire
Department as part of the Mill Bay
Community League. Other Chiefs of this
era where Charlie Fitt and George Hauk.
In 1963 The
Mill Bay Fire Protection District was
incorporated under the Water Act by
Letters Patent. |
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Since the
formation of the Protection District the
first Chief under this jurisdiction was
Bob Trousdell
1963-1968, followed by Bill Peters
1968-1975, John Anderson 1975-1980,
Dave Atkinson
1980-1988, Darwin Generous 1988, Dave
Garnett 1988-1990, Lloyd Rigler
1990-1991,
Pete Balding
1991-2002, Don Sparks 2003, Terry Culp
2004-present.
In 1973 the
Water Act was superseded by the
Department of Municipal Affairs.
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Who does the Department Serve?
The Mill Bay
Fire Department is responsible for the
fire protection, rescue, fire
prevention, and First Responder medical
services for an area of approximately 20
square miles with an estimated
population of 8,000 residents, with the
population projected to increase
significantly within the next several
years.
Mill Bay was
established in the 1860s, twenty years
after Victoria was founded. The
principal industry was lumber and
milling. The area also has some
agricultural lands and several small
marinas.
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What Does the
Term ‘Volunteer’ Mean?
The fire
service in North America has a rich
tradition of volunteer fire departments
dating back to the early 1800s.
These
volunteer fire departments continue to
provide fire suppression and rescue
services through the time and talent of
the members of the community.
As time
progressed and some areas grew, the need
for full-time (or career) firefighters
developed. This occurred mainly in
medium to large
cities where the industry and tax base
both required and could pay for a
full-time staff. In other areas,
volunteer departments continue to
provide quality cost effective services
to their community.
While there
are very many variations of 'volunteer'
departments, the most common in the
Cowichan Valley is the on-call
department. This is the system used at
the Mill Bay Fire Department. On-call
implies that the firefighters do not
maintain a constant presence at the fire
station and donate their time and energy
to assist in fire suppression, fire
prevention, rescue, and medical support
situations.
The Mill Bay Fire
Department is proud to continue the rich
tradition of volunteerism through
extensive involvement in the community
and support of a wide variety of
organizations and events.
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Click on Image
for a larger view.
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Mill Bay Fire
Service Area and Fire Hall Locations
Hall #1 is
located in the central area of Mill Bay
at the intersection of Deloume and
Lodgepole Roads.
Hall #2 is
located in the northern area of the
district near the TransCanada Highway at
the intersection of Hutchinson Rd and
Dougan Dr. |
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