Langford Fire Rescue responds to all motor vehicle accidents within the City of Langford and is responsible for the extrication of patients from motor vehicles.
At any motor vehicle accident (MVA), we must first neutralize any hazards such as leaking fuels, downed power lines and fires and then stabilize the vehicles involved. Once the scene is safe, we then must determine, in consultation with BC Ambulance crews, the safest and most efficient way to extricate the patient from the vehicle.
Auto extrication can be very challenging. Often vehicles land in precarious positions, such as on their side, down embankments, or upside down. Sometimes there are multiple vehicles and multiple patients involved. Extrication teams must train constantly to prepare for such scenarios so we may be best able to remove the patient in the fastest possible manner, while minimizing discomfort and avoiding further injury to the patient.
With ever-changing designs and safety devices in the automotive industry, Langford Fire Rescue must continually train and educate responding personnel to provide efficient extrication for those in need. Through guest instructors and courses from the Justice Institute of British Columbia and other departments, Langford remains current in today’s extrication techniques and vehicle design.
Emergency Radio Communications
Emergency radio communications are performed by a team of volunteer amateur radio operators who provide essential communications when traditional methods (landline phones, mobile phones, and internet) are compromised due to emergency or natural disaster.
Voice and email communications are performed using amateur radio (HF, VHF, and UHF) to establish contacts and transfer messages among:
- The three Langford firehalls
- Langford’s Emergency Program Coordinator (EPC)
- Emergency Management BC (EMBC)
- Other municipal Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs)
- Amateur radio operators in the community
Langford Emergency Radio Communication members meet weekly throughout the year on Wednesday nights, on the air and at Station No. 2 at 6:00 p.m. Exercises in message handling and passing using various modes of radio operation (analog and digital) are performed.
If you are interested in amateur radio and would like to use your hobby to help with community emergency communications, please phone the Amateur Radio Communications Coordinator at 250-478-8118 and leave a message or send an email to ve7lfd@outlook.com. You do not have to have an amateur radio certificate but you must be willing to work on obtaining one. We can help you with that! It’s a great way to enjoy the hobby while serving the community.
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Emergency Support Services
Langford Emergency Support Services (ESS) is a team of community volunteers who respond to provide essential services needed by people forced from their homes by emergencies or disasters.
Essential services provided:
- Food
- Lodging
- Clothing
- Registration & Inquiry
- Personal Services
- Other Specialized Services
These volunteers donate their time and energy to receive extensive training and have proven to be an invaluable resource in many emergencies.
Langford ESS members meet monthly at Station No. 1 at 7:00 p.m. on the second Monday of the month from September through June.
If you would like to assist the team with planning and operating the system, please attend the next meeting or phone the ESS office at (250) 478-5510 and leave a message.
Individual and family preparedness can reduce the need for help and lessen damage to people and property. Click here to be redirected to the BC Provincial Government website to learn more on how to prepare your home, prepare for your family and for your pets. Click on this link to learn more on how to “Build an Emergency Kit“.
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Langford Fire Rescue provides the primary fire suppression for the City of Langford. Our members are thoroughly trained in a wide variety of fire suppression, from structural firefighting to wild land interface fires.
Due to Langford’s varied landscape and development, fires in Langford can range from small garbage bin fires to large warehouse blazes. As such Langford Fire Rescue is prepared to deal with fires in a host of structures from residential dwellings to industrial complexes, and each has their own set of hazards.
Training
Members train constantly in different life-saving and fire suppression techniques to keep their skills sharp in this highly dangerous and demanding role. We train to Justice Institute of British Columbia standards with each firefighter completing a minimum of Firefighter Level II.
We also work with support agencies such as the Wildfire Management Branch and CRD Parks.
Each Station has a Primary Fire Engine (Engines 1, 2 and 3) outfitted for structural firefighting as well as many support vehicles (Ladder 1, Rescue 1, 2, 3, Tender 1, Brush 1, and Utility 1).
Each of our primary Fire Engines has Thermal Imaging Cameras which allow the firefighters to see through smoke in structures to locate people and a fire’s source more quickly.
Wildfires and Interface Fires
Interface fire zones are areas where commercial and residential buildings could be threatened in the event of a wildfire.
With the potential for bush fires to progress rapidly we have designed a vehicle for rapid response in the bush (Brush 1) and a tanker (Tender 1) to support it.
Information on protecting your home in the event of an interface fire is available from Office of the Fire Commissioner and the Wildfire Management Branch.
The First Responder program was developed by the Justice Institute of British Columbia and the BC Ambulance Service in order to train firefighters and police officers in emergency medical care.
First Responder was created to ensure that a person in distress receives proper medical attention in a timely manner. Do not be surprised to find that in the event that 9-1-1 is called for an ambulance the fire department responds as first responders to assist the ambulance paramedics.
Langford Fire Rescue actively participates in a number of courses through the Justice Institute, including First Responder. Department members are certified as First Responder III with AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) and Spinal Management endorsements.
These courses must be re-certified every three years with the exception of the AED endorsement, which is re-certified every six months. Langford Fire Rescue includes the First Responder Program in its weekly training to ensure the skills of our firefighters are up-to-date with developing technology, techniques, and protocols.
The City of Langford is a developing community nestled amidst wilderness: a landscape that challenges Langford Fire Rescue to train for extreme rescue situations.
High Angle Rope Rescue
Our rescue crews train hard to overcome the challenge of Langford’s mountainous terrain and high-angle sites in many of the parks and hills that offer gorgeous views from the well-maintained trails.
We strongly recommend people stay on the trails and not wander too far off the beaten path. Staying on trails will prevent you from encountering unseen dangers and help maintain the beauty of our natural scenery.
Langford Fire Rescue has specially trained members who train in technical rope rescue through the Justice Institute of British Columbia’s Technical High Angle Rope Rescue Program, specializing in Tower Crane Rescue Operations. All members of the department have fundamental knowledge of our rescue services coupled with their own extensive fire service rope training.
We offer two higher level courses in technical rope rescue that are based on rescue courses offered by Roco Rescue, a North American leader in technical rope rescue training. Our team leaders are all trained in advanced raising and lowering systems and individual rescuing. Our fire hall on Peatt Road, Station No. 1, was designed with a three-story training tower from which we can practice many of our rescue scenarios.
We aim to be quick, highly proficient, adaptable, and caring.
Water Rescue
Within Langford city limits there are three major lakes, numerous open water features, as well as oceanfront property. As such, Langford Fire Rescue has a highly trained and skilled Water Rescue Unit.
Our 18-foot rescue Zodiac watercraft is centrally located at Langford Fire Station No. 3 on Sooke Lake Road. The Zodiac is equipped with a through-the-hull pump that produces 100 gallons a minute at 100 psi. The watercraft also has a front-mounted monitor for extinguishing small fires on the sea or lakeshore that are not easily accessible by land.
Firefighters are trained in the operation of the Zodiac and in water rescue techniques. In addition to the Zodiac, we have other essential water rescue equipment: cold water wet suits, masks, fins, and rope bags.
Our Water Rescue Unit also aids neighboring municipalities, West Shore RCMP and BC Ambulance Service in water rescue emergencies.
Education Materials and Services
Langford Fire Rescue is committed to working with our community to develop and deliver fire and life safety education programs.
The objective of these programs is to teach the members of our community how to prevent and protect themselves from hazards, with a special focus on fire prevention.
The Langford Fire Rescue Public Education Program features a variety of free information sessions and events, including:
- Fire extinguisher training
- Kitchen safety sessions at Spencer and Belmont Schools
- Fire safety sessions and fire hall tours to preschoolers and children
- Yearly fire safety expo for all Grade 4 students within our community
- Yearly open house for all members of our community
If you would like to arrange a fire safety session/fire hall tour for your organization, please contact:
Additional safety information is available from Fire Prevention Canada.
Information on protecting your home in the event of an interface fire is available from Office of the Fire Commissioner and the Wildfire Management Branch.
Recalls
Fire Prevention Officers Association of BC offers a list of recalled items. Keep yourself safe by checking frequently.
The Women’s Auxiliary was established in the early 1950s and was first comprised of firefighters’ wives. They held dances, teas, bake sales, craft sales, etc. to finance the purchase of a variety of furnishings for the Firehall, Communications Centre and the ambulance when it was manned and operated by the Langford Fire Department.
Today, the WA continues to raise funds for equipment, furnishings, family support and an education bursary that is available to LFR members. They also make lunches for the firefighters during weekend training courses or when the firefighters are on a lengthy call and are in need of meals.
Joining the Woman’s Auxiliary
This group is open to all women who would like to be part of an energetic and effective group that contributes to Langford’s growing community in a tangible and rewarding way.
The Women’s Auxiliary meets the second Tuesday of each month (with the exception of July and August), at 7:00 pm at Station 2, located at 3205 Happy Valley Road.
For more information, please contact Langford Fire Rescue at walangfordfire@gmail.com or 250-478-9555.
Fundraising
Funds are raised primarily through the catering of a variety of events for the Fire Department such as:
- Lunches for firefighters attending training courses.
- Food & beverages at fire and/or emergency scenes as required.
- Refreshments at the annual Santa Parade of fire trucks.
- Pancakes and hot dogs at the Annual Fire Rescue Open House.
- Concessions at various community events.
- Sale of various products which are used as fundraisers for non-profit groups.
Recent fundraising procurements include:
- Portable Defibrillators
- Thermal Imaging Camera
- ATV
- Firefighting conference in Indiana
- Kitchen amenities
- Patio furnishings for Station No. 3
- Bereavement Fund
- Education Bursary Fund
Junior Citizenship Award Trophy
The Women’s Auxiliary sponsors the Junior Citizenship Award Trophy and presents it annually to a deserving student graduating from Belmont Senior Secondary School.
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