Members of the Fort St. James volunteer fire department celebrated 66 years of service last month, and are hoping to have a bigger community based celebration when they hit 70.
“We do not just want it to be the firefighters who celebrate. The fire department belongs to the community,” said Fire Chief Ryan McVey.
READ MORE: Volunteer with the Fort St. James Fire Department!
“The first fire truck was a 1949 Ford with a tank on it. The firefighters were notified of a fire by the sounding of vehicle horns to alert members,” McVey said.
Over the past 66 years, trucks and equipment within the department have been transformed, he said, adding the department also operates a 911 system from Prince George.
Meanwhile, even though the fire hall is constantly accepting new firefighters, COVID has changed the recruiting process. The department is welcoming queries as officials wait for a safe time to resume hiring.
READ MORE: Fort St. James Fire Department responds to three blazes within a week
Correction: An earlier version of the story indicated the department was built in 1942 after the tragic loss of two children to a fire. This is incorrect. The Courier apologizes for the error.
Sarabjit Kaur
Multimedia Journalist - Vanderhoof Omineca Express, Caledonia Courier
sarabjit.kaur@ominecaexpress.com
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