Sparky the Fire Safety Dog reminded children watching the Consecon Santa Parade to have two ways out of their homes in a fire escape plan. The Hillier department also helped bring Santa to town.
Briar Boyce photo
Prince Edward County firefighters worked furiously to knock down a large fire in the marshy area near Fenwood Gardens Thursday night. Wind was brisk and flames were upward of 50 feet into the air at times. The concern was to knock down the blaze to keep it from reaching nearby homes. Some of the Fenwood Gardens residents were evacuated to Prince Edward Square as a precaution.
Belleville, Quinte West and Thurlow firefighters also sent in assistance. Highway 62 is now open. The fire was under control early this morning and firefighters remained on the scene to monitor hot spots.
Fenwood resident Heather Plan was happy to see the fire under control.
“It’s mostly out now,” she told countylive.ca early this morning. “Thank you to the firefighters from all the communities who helped with the fire. Thank you for coming in the back yard to fight the fire. Somehow felt better with you here. Ash is still falling on the house and I suspect that it will for days. I guess that we can now say that we only have a fire here in the marsh in a blue moon!”
Prince Edward County OPP officers were are also on the scene throughout the night. Vehicles lined the highway and some people were standing on their vehicles to take photographs.
The glowing orange could be seen from the other side of the Bay Bridge, in Belleville.
“We could feel the heat from where we stood to take a picture,” says Teresa Whaley. “It appears to be getting closer to our house. Standing at the garage door we notice there is ash falling.”
Teresa Whaley photo
The following photographs were taken by Chris Tweedy, just before he and his wife Karen were evacuated.
“Most of the people that were evacuated were ones like us that the fire crews were using our properties to access the fire,” said Karen. “We were advised it was precaution and procedure as the crews were in our yard. By the time we got the OK to come home, they were gone from our property and packing things up on the causeway by Massasauga Rd (Belleville end).”
She noted that at 1:45 they was still not traffic on highway 62 and only letting limited traffic through on County Road 28.
Briar Boyce photo
Nature’s raw destructive power is spectacularly beautiful, said Cei Champagne, who took the following photographs on her way home from Belleville.
Sydnee Gael Mulridge photo
Monday at the Hastings-Prince Edward Mutual Aid Association Training Complex meeting, Belleville Deputy Fire Chief Mark MacDonald presented the keys to their 1992 Pumper over to committee members. In 2011 the City of Quinte West donated a 1990 Pumper to the HPEMAA Training Tower.
“Now that we have two pumpers for use at our training complex it will eliminate the need to ask member departments to take trucks out of service to use for the delivery of courses and training sessions,” said Robert Rutter, Prince Edward County’s Deputy Chief. The training tower committee holds 12 specialty courses per year to train more than 250 firefighters in different aspects of emergency services. Member departments are also able to book the facility to deliver their own department training sessions and will now be able to use the two on-site pumpers.
Prince Edward County firefighters and OPP on the scene of a large grass fire along Highway 62 between Burr and Jericho roads around 3 p.m. Monday, July 16. Visibility was low. The area was closed to traffic until the scene was cleared. A burn ban remains in effect in Prince Edward County due to lack of rain this month. Prince Edward County Fire Department is investigating the cause of a house fire on Lucks Cross Road Saturday, June 16 about 7 p.m. The fire caused extensive damage. No one was home at the time of the blaze. No injuries were reported. Photo by Lori Dulmage, of LD Photography.
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Firefighters quickly knock down blaze in Bloomfield Prince Edward County firefighters were quick to knock down a fire in the Universal Fan and Blower company building in Bloomfield Friday afternoon. Firefighters took hazardous situation precautions as the building contained acetone. Fire Chief Scott Manlow said an investigation is under way to determine the cause of the fire. He reports there were no injuries in the incident and that staff followed their emergency procedure plan. The acetone on site was properly stored and caused no problems.
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Service medal ceremony honours County’s dedicated firefighters
Friends, family, co-workers and County staff honoured gave Prince Edward County firefighters a standing ovation at Sunday’s long service medal ceremony.
Prince Edward County honoured its firefighters during a medal ceremony Sunday at the Wellington Community Centre to honour long and dedicated service.
While firefighters are assisting others in their time of need, Fire chief Scott Manlow said, “Family, friends and employers are also a vital component of support for our fire department.”
He also thanked employers for allowing firefighters to take time from work to provide the vital service.
Deputy Fire Chief Robert Rutter was the master of ceremonies.
Service awards were presented from all three levels of government. County Mayor Peter Mertens presented 10-year service County pins.
“First response and firefighting is a vital service that’s performed for our residents and our visitors,” Mertens said. “Unfortunately the only time we get to appreciate what they do is when they’re on the job. It’s time to take a moment and thank them for what they do every day. It’s a great organization, a great group of people and the fact that we have peopole getting 10 year pins right up to 40 year pins speaks of the dedication of our fire departments. I congratulate them all.”
Recipients of 10 year pins are: Darren Bedford, John Carter, Bernie Dunphy, Darren Flower, Glenn Guernsey, Andrew Haight, Allen Koopmans, rick Leavitt, Todd Lamorre, Dale Milligan, Andrew Prinzen, David Rallison, Jeff Snider, Al Veltman, Jonathan Wight and David Young.
On behalf of MP Daryl Kramp, Ontario Fire Marshal Fire Advisor Dan Koroscil presented the 20-year service federal medals.
Recipients are: Michael Bond, Michael Branscombe, Craig Burris, Steve Coates, Roger Corbin, Paul Creasy, Vic Estabrooks, Kevin Harrington, Don Leavitt, Tom Lowe, Scott Manlow, Greg O’Hara, Sean O’Hara, Paul Videto, David Wetherall and Sean Whalen.
MPP Todd Smith commended all the County’s 144 firefighters for their dedication on a daily basis, and the firefighters’ spouses for their support. He presented 25-year service provincial medals to firefighters and companion brooches to their spouses.
Recipients are: Carman and Debbie Courneyea, Richard and Heather Doyle, Bruce and Nancy Hoekstra, Terry and Cathy Kewley, Robert and Cathy Manlow, Maurice and Jen Miller, Greg and CJ Moore, Earl and Nancy Munroe, Robert and Christine Rutter, Donald and Anne Williams, Peter and Tracy Williams, L.J. and Lori Wilson, Randy and Trish York and Dale Wood.
Receiving 30-year service federal bars are: Dan Bakker, Bruce Baldwin, Elmer Bentley, Rick Campbell, Peter cole, David Fox, Ken Haight, Walter Haight, Lee Knight, John Mulridge, Don Munro, George Storms, Steve Vickers, Brent Walker and Glendon Walker.
Receiving 35-year service provincial bars from Smith and Koroscil was Richard denOuden. Paul Minaker was unable to attend.
The 40-year service provincial and federal bars were presented to Leonard Bedford, William Bedford and Roger Flower.
Fire Chief Manlow noted his pride “to be part of such an amazing team with a diverse background of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Their passion and their comraderie are evident each and every time they answer the call.”
He closed with the Firefighter’s Prayer: When I am called to duty, God whenever flames my rage, Give me the strength to save some life Whatever be its age
Help me to embrace a little child Before it’s too late, Or some older person from the horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert And hear the weakest shout, And quickly and efficiently to put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling and give the best in me, To guard my neighbour And protect his property
And if according to Your will I have to lose my life, Please bless with Your protecting hand My children and my wife.
* * * Volunteer firefighters are your neighbours, your co-workers and your friends. They are the men and women who respond to emergencies in Prince Edward County.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, applications are being accepted for positions within the department’s seven districts.
Print off the application (link below), or pick one up at The Prince Edward County Fire Department, 2 Ross St., Picton. Applications will be accepted by mail or in person until Saturday, March 31.
The fire department provides a range of programs to protect the lives and property of the residents of Prince Edward County from the adverse effects of fire, sudden medical emergencies or exposure to dangerous conditions created by man or nature.
The Fire Department is responsible for firefighting, investigations, inspections and prevention services and responsibilities include education and program services, inquiries, fire code enforcement, fire engineering plans, fire suppression, rescue services, emergency defibrillation and medical assist services, and ice water rescue.
Thursday March 8 –Fundraiser for Firefighters East & Main 6:30 pm to raise money for fire department training aids – ie. CPR mannequins etc. Also accepting private donations (tax receipts available) East and Main will be donating all food profits from the event. Additionally, Bank of Montreal in Picton will be accepting silent auction bids for a Peggy Dewitt print starting Feb 20th. Call 613-399-5420 for reservations.
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Firefighter Tim Jones takes readings of gas levels at the scene of a leak Tuesday, Jan. 10 on Paul Street, Picton.
Firefighters remain on the scene while Union Gas workers fix the pipe.
Prince Edward County OPP and firefighters secured the scene of a gas leak at the corner of Paul and Queen streets Tuesday morning for almost one hour while waiting for Union Gas workers to arrive. The operator of a mini excavator working at the home alerted a passing OPP officer that the line was struck at 9:23 a.m. Jan. 10. As the strong smell wafted into the neighbourhood, police and firefighters were on the scene in moments to shut off the gas, take readings of gas levels, block the roads at Johnson, Jane, Queen and Paul streets, alert neighbours, drivers and passersby. Union Gas arrived on the scene to fix the pipe at 10:20 a.m.
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Burn Permits – It’s the law!
Call in before you burn: 613-476-2345 or 613-962-3497
Permits are valid from date of issue to December 31st of the year issued and cost $15.00 each.
Permits can be purchased at the following Municipal Offices:
• Picton Fire Station 2 Ross Street, Picton All hours
• Shire Hall 332 Main Street, Picton – Mon.- Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Prince Edward County libraries
CLICK on application to print – fill out the information and submit to the above mentioned offices
