Port Hardy Fire Rescue calls in the last quarter of 2015 were up 85 per cent from the previous year.Fire Chief
Schell Nickerson presented the quarterly report to District of Port Hardy council at their regular meeting Feb.
9.Nickerson said the department had a total of 44 calls with a big increase in fires, chimney fires and assisting
BC Ambulance Service. Members logged 582 hours responding to calls; 925 hours of training; 164 hours of
meetings; 1,369 general hours, 337 of weekend hours; for a total of 3,377.Nickerson said the department
currently has 31 members who took part in 11 practices from October to December. They made three trips to
Comox Training Centre, putting eight members through two days of fire theory and practical.The Port Hardy
Hospital Auxiliary paid for the course fees for each member, Nickerson said, adding that Macandale Rentals
Ltd. also donated a new rescue chainsaw to the department.Councillor Dennis Dugas noted that 11 per cent of
the department's calls were to Creekside Apartments."It seems to be a hot spot," said Dugas, apologizing for
the pun.Nickerson explained there is no manager on site, that there are a lot of nuisance calls such as pulled
fire alarms, and sometimes people are trapped in the elevator. The department also assists BC Ambulance
Service with lifts, etc.