Nelson Fire Rescue
919 Ward Street V1L 1T5 Nelson, BC, Canada

This month's City newsletter features Nelson Fire & Rescue Services. This latest edition covers a number of important topics including the importance of getting... a FireSmart assessment for your property, as well as great information on how to prepare for an emergency. Are you prepared? Do you have a plan? Have you built your Grab & Go kit? Learn more by following the link below. https://www.nelson.ca//Nelson-Fire-Rescue-Services-Newslet

The City of Nelson Emergency Management Team is reminding residents to take steps to prepare for an emergency before it happens! These steps may help to manage... the impacts of an evacuation in our community. 1) KNOW THE RISKS - Although the consequences of various disasters can be similar, knowing the risks in your region can help you better prepare. Educate yourself on the hazards that may occur in and around Nelson, including wildfires, floods, severe weather and prolonged power outages. 2) MAKE A PLAN - Everyone needs an emergency plan. It will help you and your family know what to do in case of an emergency. Your family may not be together when an emergency occurs. Plan how to meet or how to contact one another, and discuss what you would do in different situations. Include things like contact info, meeting spots, and pre-arranged plans with friends or family out of the area that you can stay with if needed, and how you will get there. Don't forget to plan for your pets as well, including transportation, food, medicine and a place for them to stay. 3) BUILD AN EMERGENCY KIT AND GRAB-AND-GO BAG - In an emergency, you will need some basic supplies. You may need to get by without power or tap water. Plan ahead to ensure you are able to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours and/or are prepared to evacuate with short notice. Check out the links below for more information and helpful tools to help you and your family get prepared. Household Preparedness Guide https://www2.gov.bc.ca//pre/preparedbc_household_guide.pdf Home Emergency Plan Template https://www2.gov.bc.ca//prep/preparedbc_household_plan.pdf Planning for your Pets https://www2.gov.bc.ca//p/preparedbc_prepare_your_pets.pdf How to build an emergency kit and grab-and-go bag. https://www2.gov.bc.ca//build-an-emergency-kit-and-grab-an

May 4th : International Firefighters Day

Just as important as the plants, shrubs and trees you plant near your house is the mulch you use! Avoid wood chips, cedar bark or any flammable mulch and stick to gravel and crushed rocks. Making these small (but important) changes can really make a difference in wildfire resiliency!

ANNUAL FireSmart YARD CLEAN UP: On Now!!! Give your yard and house the gift of resiliency! Protect you hoe against wildfire by using simple FireSmart actions> Need help? Not sure where to start?... Call us TODAY to arrange a FireSmart Home Assessment: 250-352-3103 See more

Wondering which plants to choose and which ones to avoid? Check out what to look for in the graphic below

COLD IN THE KOOTS - POLICE CHIEF BURKART & FRIENDS TO TAKE AN ICY DIP IN THE LAKE! Emergency Services have joined forces to assist the BC Special Olympics to r...aise $3000 in our community. Please consider supporting this cause as we say farewell to Chief Burkart. Chief Paul Burkart is retiring from the Nelson Police Department after 20 years of service and unfortunately, due to COVID-19 we are unable to send him off with a grand farewell, so instead, we will send him off at the end of the dock, into the frigid waters of Kootenay Lake. Chief Len MacCharles of Nelson Fire Rescue Services and Chief Deb Morris of BC Ambulance Services will be joining Chief Burkart, by taking the plunge off the dock as well. The heads of our Emergency Services will be pushed (virtually) off the dock by Payton Birk, an 8-year-old local ambassador for BC Special Olympics. But only if the funds are raised! The event will be live-streamed due to COVID-19 on March 6, 2021 at 10am. Please donate to the team site, Cold in the Koots, at the BC Special Olympics FreezinforaReason Campaign. See link below: https://secure.e2rm.com/p2p/donate/349555/team/937988 Thank you! #nelsontogether

A recent fire at a local massage clinic has prompted Nelson Fire & Rescue Services to remind therapists the dangers of oily linens. Most oils, including massage oils, have the ability to spontaneously combust (start burning without an ignition source) under certain conditions when combined with materials such as towels and linens. The safety bulletin below provides some basic tips on how to prevent this chemical reaction that can lead to a fire. Oily linens should be launder...ed as soon as possible following use with hot water and suitable detergent that removes oil from the material and do not use high heat to dry. Oily linens that have been laundered but the oil has not been removed still have the potential to self-ignite in the dryer or once folded/stacked. They should not be stored indoors and if possible, should be stored outside in an air tight container. See more

Spectacular skies looking west down Kootenay Lake from the Hall this afternoon!

CITY OF NELSON MIGRATES TO NEW EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM January 8, 2021 The City of Nelson has changed its Emergency Notification System provider to Voyent... Alert! If you previously subscribed to receive emergency notifications from the City of Nelson, you will receive a notice on your phone in the coming days, to let you know your account has been migrated and how you can update your information and preferences. For additional information please visit our website: http://nelson.ca/855/Nelson-Emergency-Alerts If you have any questions that haven't been addressed on the website, please contact the Emergency Management Coordinator at [email protected].

Fire Call to 500 Block Josephine St December 30, 2020 At 1238 hours, Nelson Fire & Rescue Services responded to a report of a burning smell in a commercial building on Josephine Street. An on-duty firefighter responded immediately from the Fire Station....Continue reading

From all of us at Nelson Fire & Rescue Services... We wish you and your family a happy, safe and healthy Holiday Season.

Captain Jeff Hebert has been with Nelson Fire & Rescue Services for 21 years, starting at age of 22 and moving up the ranks from Auxiliary to Captain. Today he was appointed as the City of Nelson's new Assistant Fire Chief. Congratulations A/C Hebert!

Wondering why you don't have internet at home right now? Internet service with Shaw and Telus has been affected between Queen's Bay and Trail. Their crews are working to repair the lines as soon as possible. Please don't call Nelson Hydro to ask about when it will be repaired, as we don't have that information.

Assistant Chief Mike Daloise is retiring! Today is Mike's last day after 28 years of serving the City of Nelson and its residents- protecting life and property with dedication and leadership. His commitment to training and educating both the career and auxiliary firefighters definitely made Nelson safer! Mike worked so well with the other departments of the organization: developing the Operation Evacuation plan for the city with the Nelson Police Department, collaborating w...ith Public Works to train staff and test masks, and working with Admin and Finance when he was Acting Chief. We thank A/C Daloise for his service, commitment and leadership within the department and the city as a whole! After a rewarding career with Nelson Fire & Rescue Services Friday, November 13 is Mike's last day. If you're driving by the hall today give a HONK to say farewell. Mike is moving to Midway - and as of Monday is their new Fire Chief! Congratulations Mike on your new venture!!!!

Fuel or wood burning appliance? Check/ Install a CO Alarm! It could save someone's life!

Carbon Monoxide Scare in Rosemont November 3, 2020 Last evening around 8pm, Nelson Fire & Rescue Services responded to a report of a Carbon Monoxide alarm sounding in a residence. On-duty members responded immediately, while the residents were instructed to evacuate to fresh air. Upon arrival, with the residents safely outside, the crew donned breathing equipment and investigated with a multi-gas detector. The detector showed readings over 170 parts per million of Carbon M...onoxide, which can be very dangerous when inhaled for more than a short period of time. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a dangerous by-product of fuel burning devices such as wood/pellet stoves and fireplaces and natural gas or propane appliances, such as non-electric furnaces and hot water tanks. CO is a colourless and odourless gas that can have potentially fatal outcomes for residents and their pets if a release goes undetected. In this case, it was extremely fortunate the residents had just installed CO Detector a few weeks earlier and called 911 for assistance once it went into alarm. The owner had turned off the furnace which fire crews suspected was not working properly. Crews ventilated the home until CO levels were brought to zero and the owner of the property was advised to not use the furnace until it had been serviced and inspected by a certified professional. Nelson Fire & Rescue Services would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to ensure they have working Smoke Alarms and a working CO Detector in their homes. We also ask residents to ensure your heating appliances have all been cleaned and serviced and are working/venting properly. Nelson residents are encouraged to call Nelson Fire & Rescue Services at (250) 352-3101 with any questions or for assistance.