New Westminster firefighters used the Jaws of Life to rescue someone trapped in a car at New Westminster Secondary School last Wednesday afternoon.
But not to worry, that someone was a dummy placed in the vehicle as part of an effort by local firefighters to promote this year’s New Westminster Youth Firefighter Program. New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services is encouraging Grade 10 to 12 students to apply for the program, which places students in a fire academy situation that gives them a chance to experience some of the things they would face as firefighters.
“For the kids, if they are interested in a career in the fire service it gives them a taste of what they might be looking at,” said fire inspector Todd Gardiner. “At the same time, it’s a great team-building experience. It’s just a good experience of getting out into the workforce, whether that’s to be a firefighter or something else. They go through the process of submitting an application. There is an interview as well, and basically seven days of training.”
Training will take place at the Queensborough Fire Hall on March 14 and 15 (during spring break), July 5 to 9 (summer break), and will wrap up at the New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services’ open house in October. The program has 12 spaces, with priority going to New Westminster residents.
“The first two days are pretty much going to be spent in the fire prevention office, learning things like how to do a fire inspection, fire investigations, public outreach,” Gardiner said. “In the summertime they learn about car accidents – doing the auto extrication at a car accident.”
The final day takes place at the Justice Institute in Maple Ridge, where students get to go in the “burn building” where fire training takes place. Along the way, they’ll learn about first aid and get certified in CPR.
The application deadline is Friday, Feb. 12. Applications can be found at www.newwestyouth.ca.
Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser set
The Seniors Services Society is raising funds so it can help bring seniors in from the cold.
The New Westminster based society is once again taking part in the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser to raise money for housing initiatives for homeless and at-risk seniors across Metro Vancouver.
“This is our second annual Coldest Night event,” Kara-Leigh Bloch, the society’s executive director said in a press release. “Last year we raised over $30,000 and we hope to do even better this year. Unfortunately, the number of seniors that find themselves homeless or at risk of homelessness continues to climb.”
Money raised through the Coldest Night of the Year event helps with seniors moving and relocation costs, rent supplements and items needed to set up a household for those who have nothing.
The Seniors Services Society sees a big change in those it’s helped to find safe and appropriate housing, Bloch says.
“The stress of not being housed takes its toll on physical, mental and emotional health,” Bloch says. “It’s amazing what a little assistance can do.”
The Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser takes place on Saturday, Feb. 20 at River Market. Registration is at 4 p.m., the opening ceremonies are at 5 p.m., the walk begins at 5:15 and registration closes at 6 p.m. A light meal will be served to all participants and volunteers between 6 and 8 p.m.
The society, which annually serves about 500 seniors across the region who are living at risk or are homeless, encourages walkers, both individual and teams, to bundle up and raise cold, hard cash for the Coldest Night of the Year. It’s aiming to raise $35,000 and host more than 200 walkers.
For more information, contact the Seniors Services Society at 604-520-6621. See more at www.coldestnightoftheyear.org/location/newwestminster.
Ombudsperson coming to Royal City
Got a beef with the provincial or local government? If so, the Office of the Ombudsperson may be able to help you.
The Office of the Ombudsperson is bringing in a mobile complaint clinic to New Westminster on Thursday, Feb. 4. To make a free and confidential appointment, call 1-800-567-3247.
B.C.’s Office of the Ombudsman – deemed to be B.C.’s independent voice for fairness – can investigate complaints about all provincial ministries and boards, Crown corporations, colleges and universities, schools and boards of education, health authorities, local governments and self-governing professions.
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