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Port Alice loses four volunteer fire fighters

The village has only nine active members left.
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FACEBOOK PHOTO/ PORT ALICE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT Port Alice Volunteer Fire Department relases monthly report for August.

The Port Alice Volunteer Fire Department released its monthly report Oct. 11 at the village’s regular council meeting, revealing a dwindling number of volunteers able to serve the community.

There were 13 active members listed for the month of August, but Mayor Jan Allen noted the village has “lost three of those already and there is another one that is leaving as well - so we will be down to nine very soon.”

Finance Officer Bonnie Danyk said the preferred number of volunteer fire fighters for Port Alice would be 15, but stated that a lot of rural community fire departments have to operate with less.

“The problem is that we lost two pump operators,” said Chief Administrative Officer Paul Carver. “That is the problem - that is huge.”

He said there are two other volunteers able to operate the pumps, “but they are just new at it.”

Coun. Marnie Chase inquired as to whether advertising might help recruit new volunteers.

Allen responded she believes it will be featured in the village’s Rumble Sheet newsletter next month.

For the month of August, the Port Alice Volunteer Fire Department attended zero fire calls, one rescue call, one mutual aid call, and two lift assist calls.

They also participated in station maintenance, portable monitor set-up on Truck 1, pump operator practice, radio communications practice, fire alarm check, truck checks, and association meetings.