For immediate release
Elected Officials Return to Feel the Heat
Fire Ops 101 Returns to the Vancouver Fire & Rescue Training Centre
Vancouver, BC – On September 23, 2019, the British Columbia Professional Fire
Fighters’ Association (BCPFFA) will welcome elected officials and decision makers from
across the province to Fire Ops 101 at the Vancouver Fire & Rescue Training Centre.
Participants will experience the realities of fire fighting through 10 different scenarios which
represent the dynamic occupation of a professional fire fighter. Suited up in turnout gear,
including a self-contained breathing apparatus, participants will feel the heat while entering
and extinguishing a controlled building fire. They will use specialized life-saving
equipment, such as the jaws of life, work in confined spaces, and will finish by treating
patients with pre-hospital medical care.
“Fire Ops 101 offers insight into the physical and psychological demands of the job.
Participants will appreciate what fire fighters on the front lines are going through, and this
experience helps them understand the challenges faced to keep our communities safe,”
says Gord Ditchburn, President, BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association.
The day-long program is a BCPFFA bi-ennial event and was launched in 2009. Scenarios
include hands-on fire fighting and rescue operations under the controlled supervision of
the Vancouver Training Division personnel and BCPFFA representatives.
Fire Ops 101 takes place on Monday, September 23, 2019 at Vancouver Fire & Rescue
Training Centre, 1330 Chess St, Vancouver, BC. Fire Ops 101 hands-on scenarios will
begin at 1:00pm and end at 4:00pm.
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Media Contact: Any media who would like to attend or observe is asked to register for
media credentials prior to Wednesday, September 17, 2019. Please contact Nicole Clark,
Director of Communications, by email at communications@bcpffa.org or by phone at
604.436.2053 or 778.789.0820.
For all other inquiries, contact info@bcpffa.org or 604.436.2053 or visit FireOps101.
Gord Ditchburn, President | Todd Schierling, Secretary Treasurer