About

The BX–Swan Lake Fire Department is a Paid-On-Call department consisting of thirty one men and women. The department operates six apparatus; a 1050 gpm front line engine, a 1250 gpm engine/tender, a fully equipped rescue truck, a 1500 gallon tender, a rescue/bush truck, an interface mini-pumper, and a Structure Protection Unit (18ft fully equipped trailer).

MISSION:

Our mission is to provide effective and efficient fire prevention, fire suppression, and rescue services to the citizens of the BX–Swan Lake Fire Protection District along with providing mutual aid to any other emergency services in the Regional District of the North Okanagan.

ORGANIZATION:

The department operates under the direction of the Fire Chief, who is responsible to the Community Protective Services Manager of the North Okanagan Regional District.

The Fire Chief is assisted by a Deputy Fire Chief, who is the department Safety Officer, and an Assistant Fire Chief, who is the department Training Officer.

The Chiefs are assisted by three Captains, and three Lieutenants. The Captains and Lieutenants are responsible for the members in their respective companies.

CALL VOLUME:

The department responds to an average of one hundred and eighty calls per year. Calls include structure fires, grass fires, wildland-urban interface fires, vehicle fires, and burning bylaw infractions. The department also responds to motor vehicle accidents, and ambulance assist calls, where the department provide assistance to the British Columbia Ambulance Service. In addition, the department provides fire rescue mutual aid to the fire departments of the Regional District of the North Okanagan, and the Ministry of Forests.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

Over the years, the BX-Swan Lake Fire Rescue service has evolved into a public safety agency providing highly technical and diverse services. The general public relies on our department to act as the first responder, not only when life and property are threatened, but for other problems as well. The department also carries out public education with the elementary schools within our fire protection boundaries and for all community members.

The BX-Swan Lake Fire Rescue service maintains a diligent and aggressive approach to ongoing training to ensure the community at large is served to the best of the department’s ability. The upgrading of fire fighter skills is an ongoing process with a commitment to the betterment of all fire rescue personnel in serving this community. Training of the departments fire rescue personnel meets and exceeds the B.C. Fire Fighter Training Standard.

Initial training begins with the Recruit Fire Fighter Course, a 56 hour course in the basics of fire fighting. Part of this course is a fitness profiling test, to ensure your capability to perform the required physical tasks. This course is held at the NORD Fire Training Centre, and is a prerequisite to becoming a member of the department. Completion of the recruit course will prepare each member with the needed skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary to deliver fire and emergency rescue service to the citizens of the BX–Swan Lake Fire Protection District.
A second 40 hour course will then be available, which, when completed, will give the applicant certification to the B.C. Fire Fighter Level I standard.

The department provides all training and equipment. New members undergo a minimum three month probationary period, starting at the discretion of the executive, prior to being selected to regular member status. If you are interested in becoming a firefighter with the BX Swan Lake team, please visit the Apply page.