All is Quiet

Check out this photo taken by Nikki Lewers at the Ozone today. It's hard to see, but the bottom of the "Ocean" is covered in coins. Awesome

Yes, I know it is probably a jinx, but it has been a very quiet February in Sooke this year. Can't remember a month that has had this few calls. Not that there aren't things to do. We have all been very busy with regular duties, especially getting the budget prepared as well as the set up and organization of the ESS and EOC programs now that these are under FD Control. Deputy McLeod has assumed the role of ESS coordinator and is busy with 20+ new volunteers and a myriad of meetings to get this groupd set up and functional. This is quite difficult as the Province has cut all funding for these programs (at the moment) and the District of Sooke has no budget for ESS. We have included one for this year and hope it will go through. The EOC program is another entire series of fun meetings and opportunities to work with many groups, both locally and regionally. Sure keeps a person busy going from meeting to meeting. Speaking of the budget, some of the things hoped for in this years capital budget include a new command vehicle, replacement of some of the older rope gear, a new washing machine for turnout gear and a utility body for 208. A new small diesel generator was just purchased to replace the one stolen last year. (really, who steals from a volunteer fire department?)

From all reports, the Sooke Display at the Ozone in Richmond continues to get rave reviews. If you get a chance, you really should go over and see this as part of the Olympic opportunity. Our five firefighters are getting prepped and ready to go over to the Nordic area of the Olympics to provide fire protection services this coming week. I am sure they will do us proud and bring back lots of stories and photos. I will be off to the mainland on Saturday as I will be participating in my first half marathon (thanks probie) on Sunday in Fort Langley (you may have heard of this famous Winter Olympic Half Marathon. Lets hope all my running practice pays off. I will let you know how I do if I am able to return.

The Shelter Box contest between Langford and Sooke Fire Departments has been declared a tie. As both communities were able to count the money raised by their local Rotary Clubs as well as the firefighters in their totals, we both came up with enough for 14 boxes each (that is over $28,000.00 combined) Quite amazing I think and everyone should be commmended on such a good job. (However, we still have an opportunity to pull ahead as all the funds collected at the Ozone in our display will also go to this cause..........from what I have heard, the "Ocean" is getting quite full of money as everyone tries to get coins to land on the whales tail)