Chief's Annual Report for 2005

The Bridgewater Fire Department had a very successful year in 2005, responding to 171 emergency calls - down from the 209 calls we had last year. On 20 occasions we used Mutual Aid and were called to assist 28 times. This year automatic aid was established with Oakhill, Northfield, and Blockhouse on Highway 103 and with Northfield and Oakhill on the MacCulloch Road and Highway 10 to Cooks Bridge. Bridgewater will also be using automatic aid with some of their larger structures in town, as most of the fire loss for the year came from two structure fires. There were over 40 meetings and training sessions this year as well as multiple Fire School certified courses. The department took part in an extrication seminar at Barrington this year and our team learned valuable skills that can be used at auto accidents.

The department spent many hours fund raising again this year, spending $41,700 from the equipment account this year to purchase a 1999 Chevrolet van and prepare it for service, a second Thermal Imaging Camera, hose for Engine 3, and adapters and equipment Engine 1 for Rescue 8.

The most eventful moment of the year has to be the delivery of our new Pumper Engine 3. Although it was a long time coming she sure did not disappoint any of our members when arriving. On October 29, just under two weeks after it was put in service, this new E-ONE Cyclone II Engine worked well at the house fire at St. Phillips Street. The vehicle was built for firefighter safety and comfort following NFPA standards 1901 and 1500, and is also ULC and CSA compliant. This vehicle will meet our needs today as well as in the future. I would like to thank fellow truck committee members with special thanks going to Engineer Larry Feener for his commitment to our new vehicle. Our 1986 Superior was renumbered Engine 4 and our 1975 International King-Seagrave was sold to Lapland Fire Department for one dollar.
We have had two meetings with the town council to replace Ladder 2 in the 2007/2008-budget year. A new vehicle committee will be appointed early in the New Year for replacing for Ladder 2.

This year the officers were given projects to supervise and reports were given at the executive meetings. We now have a ten-year plan that is revised each year, which allows the Town Council to budget for large expenditures in a timely manner.

Our greatest challenge as volunteers today is recruitment of new members in the fire service. With the large volume of calls we respond to and the training requirements, commitment is necessary to provide the town the level of service that is required. Lieutenant Kirk Wentzell is completing a project to try and retain members after they complete 16 years and to get new members in fire service. This year we welcomed seven members into the department but six members left.

It was a pleasure to take part in a retirement party for Chief Reid Whynot. Reid served as Chief for eight years and is going into his 33rd year the Bridgewater Fire Department. Reid is still an active member in the department and has returned to serve on Ladder 2.

This year we lost honorary member Douglas W. Hubley and he will be missed. To those members who helped with his appointments and meetings I thank you on the family’s behalf.

Certainly I must thank the Ladies Auxiliary and Honorary members for their continued support again this year. The Bridgewater Fire Department Band played at many parades we attended this year and we are proud to march with them. I would like to thank Ivan Rhodenizer for taking on the role as parade commander. The assistance we received from our police department, RCMP, EHS, and Scotia Business Centre was appreciated, as we are all part of the same team when emergencies occur.

We must thank Mayor Publicover and our town council for their commitment to the fire service by replacing vehicles and equipment as identified in our ten-year plan.

I would like to thank Deputy Chief Nauss and the officers and members of the department for the support I received during my time so far as Chief. To the officers and members I would say that if we stay committed, work together, and stay focused we can keep up to the changes which are necessary to keep our department Ever Ready.