The wild land fire situation in the province is not only challenging the front line forestry firefighters but also the dispatchers behind the scenes at the Coastal Fire Centre. These dispatchers provide the 24 hour support that is the vital link to keeping the forests and interface areas safe. Authorities from the Coastal Fire Centre are now receiving much needed assistance from the City of Surrey’s Fire Service through the provision of trained dispatchers to ease the burden over the coming weeks until the fire threat eases.
“We are all very concerned about the situation and our thoughts are with the many families affected by these fires,” stated Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts.
Starting today, Surrey Fire Service will provide the critical support to the Coastal Fire Centre’s operation while at the same time maintaining the highest quality of dispatch services for Surrey and its existing clients. “This request demonstrates the confidence that the Coastal Fire Centre has in our leadership and dispatch services,” added Deputy Chief Karen Fry from Surrey Fire Service, “We are not only making a contribution to the wild land fire situation throughout the province, but also providing integral training to our staff.”
In order to process reports of fires and to support the air and ground crews, the Coastal Fire Centre dispatchers have been required to work under high call volume and extended shifts, which is causing near exhaustion of staff.
For more information, please contact:
Karen Fry, Deputy Chief
Surrey Fire Service
(604) 543-6706
Donna MacPherson
Coastal Fire Centre
(250) 951-4229