On Saturday, June 18, the Birken Volunteer Fire Service (BVFS) is holding a fundraiser at Gates Lake Regional Park to raise money for a new fire truck.
The BVFS is a small fire department composed of 21 volunteer firefighters covering the rural area from D’arcy on Anderson Lake to Poole Creek near Mount Currie. This includes the rural localities such as Birken, Devine and Poole Creek along Pemberton Portage Road.
Getting a new fire truck is vital for the department, as it needs to replace its current truck from 1990.
“We're just trying to fundraise some money for a new fire truck to work towards getting our fire department accredited with the Office of the Fire Commissioner,” said BVFS Chief Kristian Phare.
“We want to do this so we can help the community out better with a bit more funding and [by staying] up-to-date on training and stuff like that,” Phare said.
“One of the requirements [of government] is to have a truck that is a certain age. Pretty much any truck that's over 25 years old is not recognized by any governmental body. So we're just trying to update our truck.”
The BVFS helps with reported fires and medical emergencies, and its members responded to more than two dozen calls last year. The new Squamish-Lillooet Regional District community wildfire resiliency plans recommended formalizing fire service agreements between the N’quatqua and Divine fire departments so that the new truck will help many of these communities.
The goal of the fundraiser is to raise $100,000, with the proceeds going to the Birken Fire Protection Society. The event at Gates Lake Park will run from 12 to 3 p.m. and feature activities with the firefighters, food trucks, games and music by the Courageous Mountain Rangers. All are welcome to attend.
If you would like to donate to the cause, donations can be made at the fundraiser in person or by mail to: Birken Fire Protection Society. PO Box 1409 D’arcy, BC, V0N1L0
