Yes, fires
Abbotsford Fire Fighters respond to all types of fires - house fires, apartment fires, industrial fires, vehicle fires, wildland fires - to name a few.
Motor Vehicle InCIdentS
Abbotsford Fire Fighters respond to a variety of vehicle incidents to assess and stabilize the scene. Sometimes an efficient and expedient rescue is required, and specially designed extrication tools, such as the Jaws of Life, are utilized to remove victims from vehicles.
Fire fighters must ensure that the vehicle is stable so it does not shift during the rescue, which could endanger both those that are injured and the emergency personnel on scene. They help the injured by providing medical assistance before other agencies arrive.
medical response
Abbotsford Professional Fire Fighters are licensed First Responders. From a child choking, to a person suffering a heart attack or a fall, firefighters provide pre-hospital, pre-ambulance care when someone is injured or experiences a medical problem.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESPONSE
All Abbotsford Fire Fighters are trained to handle material spills, leaks and fires. This can include: natural and chlorine gas leaks, gasoline spills, fuel tanker, rail car, boat and industrial accidents, in addition to chemical spills and radiation leakage. The number of unknowns often poses a larger threat than the spill, leak, fire or break.
HazMat incidents are potentially one of the most dangerous and unpredictable types of calls fire fighters can respond to. Each year thousands of fire fighters are exposed to chemical and biological hazards in the performances of their duties.
Technical High Angle Rope Rescue
Rope rescue is a highly specialized discipline under the NFPA 1006 technical rescue standards. Using ropes and hardware to rig rescue systems, fire fighters are able to access and remove patients when normal means are not possible. Situations include rooftops, silos, tower cranes, steep hiking trails and mountain sides.
training
Abbotsford’s Professional Fire Fighters get dedicated time in their schedule for training. This involves not only skills and proficiency training, but also fitness training to help keep them both proficient and ready to perform.
Abbotsford also has a dedicated training center with live fire props, a search maze, a tower crane, vehicles for practicing auto extrication techniques and a burn building. Fire fighters train consistently to ensure they are prepared for any call.
FIRE AND SAFETY INSPECTIONS
Abbotsford professional fire fighters perform daily fire safety inspections while on duty. We ensure that a building complies with the B.C. Fire Code and the B.C. Building Code, that there is overall worker and community safety, and that inhabitants or workers are aware of fire escape procedures.
PUBLIC Education
An important component of the fire service is education. Abbotsford Fire Fighters regularly visit schools and care homes to teach fire safety. During fire prevention week, they host open houses where all community members are welcome at the firehall to learn about preparing for emergencies and how to stay fire safe.
CHARITAble Society
Abbotsford Fire Fighters are committed to serving their community off and on the job. They strive to make a difference by volunteering their time for multiple charitable and community service initiatives.