From extracting injured kids from the twisted metal of wrecked vehicles, to scooping scared cats from inside a burning home, to damping down the flames on a boat at sea, it’s just life — and sometimes death — on the job for Richmond firefighters.
For more than 60 years, members of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 1286 have been answering the call for help in Richmond.
The history of firefighters in Richmond actually has roots in the 1890s, said Cory Parker, president of IAFF Local 1286.
“There were volunteer firefighters stretching back to 1897 in the boroughs of Richmond… Steveston, Broadmoor, Burkeville,” Parker said.
On Sept. 20, 1957, Richmond’s firefighters joined the IAFF, becoming part of a global brotherhood as Local 1286.
Volunteer members remained on duty until the early 1970s, but today, all 212 firefighters in Richmond are full-time, paid members of the union.
But while the designation has changed, the dedication remains the same.
Richmond crews attend three fire calls a day on average, and are usually first on scene to numerous medical emergencies, car crashes and accidents at home and work.
It’s a dangerous profession, with thousands of names from 1900 onwards listed in the IAFF Line of Duty Deaths Database.
In addition to putting their lives on the line, Richmond firefighters are also huge community builders, donating millions of dollars and incalculable man (and woman) hours to various charitable projects.
The Richmond News will be honouring the firefighters’ years of service with a special newspaper section marking their 60th, featuring historical photos and stories.
“Richmond firefighters have been an integral part of the fabric of this community for more than 60 years and we are honoured to be able to acknowledge their outstanding contributions,” says Pierre Pelletier, Richmond News publisher.
The section will publish Wednesday, Sept. 20, and the News will donate 25 per cent of net proceeds from sales to IAFF Local 1286’s charitable arm, the Richmond Firefighters Society. To be a part of the special section, contact Rob Akimow, director of advertising, at [email protected].
