Use caution when burning
Grassfire season:
As spring was arriving so too, as they do every year, did grass fires. Over the past few weeks members of the Yarmouth Fire Department have responded to numerous calls for grass and brush fires. While many of these posed no immediate threat to property, at least one or two could have damaged or destroyed homes, and on one occasion a business.
Firefighters arriving on the scene of a grass fire – once accessing for any threats to property such as buildings etc. – may choose to remain on scene and allow the fire to burn itself out, thereby eliminating the need to respond back later. While some fires are deemed accidental, many are due to the careless act of others such as discarding lit cigarettes or careless disposal of hot ashes taken from a stove or fireplace and dumped or placed in or near combustible materials such as wood or grass.
Safety first:
Prior to burning make sure to clear the area around any and all buildings of brush, dead grass and other combustible items. Use brooms or shovels to maintain fire control.
Have a water supply such as a garden hose or buckets of water readily available should the fire begin to get out of hand. NEVER leave a fire unattended. Make sure that someone is watching the fire at all times. Immediately call 911 the minute a fire gets out of control.
Nova Scotia burn restriction notice:
While burning permits are no longer required by the province of Nova Scotia to burn grass or brush, those wishing to do so are required to check with the daily burn restriction map for burn conditions. This can be found online at www.novascotia.ca/burnsafe.
Failure to abide by the conditions can result in possible charges, fines and in more severe cases those responsible for outof-control fires may be required to make restitution to those called to extinguish the fire, be it the fire department(s) and/or Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Where DNR is involved this may also include the use of aircraft such as helicopters or fixed wing water bombers.
Welcome:
Members of the Yarmouth Fire Department would like to welcome Matt Mullen to the department. Although he may be new to the department he is a seven-year member of the fire service having served with the Salmon River Volunteer Fire Department, where he held the positions of lieutenant, deputy chief and chief, prior to moving into the Yarmouth fire district.
Muscular dystrophy spring raffle:
Muscular Dystrophy Canada (Atlantic region) is back with its annual Choose Your Wheels Spring Raffle. Up for grabs is a grand prize winner’s choice of either a 2018 Harley Davidson “Road King” motorcycle or a 2018 Polaris RZR S 900 (includes a $2,900.00 Accessory Package). Both are valued at $26,800. There is also a second prize of a leather jacket valued at $500. Tickets are $20 each with 4,000 being sold. The draw will take place July 17 at the Atlantic Regional Office in Dartmouth. Tickets are available from Hectanooga VFD Chief Fred Muise 902649-2739; Salmon River VFD Chief Gustave Babin 902-769-8369 or Yarmouth Fire Department Stewart Deveau 902-748-5005.
Hectanooga Volunteer Fire Department:
Members of the Hectanooga Volunteer Fire Department recently held their annual election of officers for 2018. Those elected were: Chief: Fred Muise, Deputy Chief: Jamie Theriault, Captain: Paul Mazier, Lieutenant: Terry Mullen, Training Officer: Earl Muise. This will make 36 years that Fred has served as their chief. Congratulations to all.
Hall update:
Planning continues for the eventual reopening of the upstairs hall at the Yarmouth Fire Department. While firefighters await the application of fire suppressing foam to the ceiling of the apparatus floor to bring the building up to fire code, members of the department recently inspected the hall to identify what is required by way of repairs, appliances, etc., that would allow the upstairs to once again be used as a venue for catered weddings, parties, etc. While the upstairs will be initially used for department meetings and trainings, it is hoped that repair work will begin in the near future bringing us closer to reopening the upstairs for public use.