Langley Fire Department "protecting life, property and the environment"

As Fire Chief of the Township of Langley Fire Department, I am committed to providing the most effective and most efficient fire protection for our area. You will find that participation as a paid-call member of our service -- what the public may think of as a "volunteer" -- will bring personal rewards and satisfaction, raise self-esteem and give you a tremendous sense of accomplishment for a job well done. It will also provide Langley with a valuable service that has the potential to touch us all.

Service as a paid-call member of our Department requires a serious commitment, however. Your decision to join us should not be made quickly -- careful consideration should be made of the many factors associated with becoming a member of the Fire Department. This material has been developed to provide the information needed to help you understand this commitment and to assist you in making your decision.

Once you understand what is involved in being a paid-call member of our Department, you may find that you are able to make the commitment we need. The service provided by our Fire Department is truly valuable to the citizens of Langley, and I hope you are able to contribute to our public safety.

Doug Wade, Fire Chief,
Township of Langley Fire Department

Fire Department Profile

The Township of Langley Fire Department is a combination career/paid-call service consisting of 67 career and 130 paid-call members. Fire protection and backup emergency medical services are provided to the citizens of the Township from 7 fire halls located throughout the Township.

Mission Statement

As part of the Township's commitment to community safety and personal safety of our citizens, the mission of the Fire Department is:

To serve the communities of the Township of Langley by
protecting life, property and the environment.

Philosophy of Operations

        Commitment to Values

The Township of Langley Fire Department is a value-driven organization. The Department consciously and continuously abides by the values defined within its Philosophy of Operations. These values guide members of the Department and are the foundation of the Department. Although adherence to these values is not always simple, members of the Department strive to employ these values as they apply the directives of the Department to everyday operations and decisions.

Excellence

The Township of Langley Fire Department is committed to excellence in the delivery of services to the community as a combination Fire Department, consisting of paid-call and career members. Excellence will be achieved and maintained by:

• Providing a progressive, high-quality training program for all members of the Department;
• Providing quality, state-of-the-art facilities, apparatus and equipment;
• Providing a supportive environment for all members, designed to attract and retain highly qualified personnel for the Department;
• Providing fair and equitable working opportunities for all members;
• Providing the means for attainment of the safest working conditions; and
• Providing the leadership necessary to maintain and advance this Philosophy of Operations.

Service

The Township of Langley Fire Department exists exclusively to provide a professional level of selected safety services to the general public within the Township of Langley and in accordance with existing mutual aid and automatic aid agreements. Professional service delivery requires that the Department:

• Provide proactive educational programs to promote and maintain fire-safe and fire-smart life styles throughout our community;
• Provide for a fire-safe environment throughout our community by enforcement of the British Columbia Fire Services Act and Municipal Bylaws, emphasizing voluntary compliance through education and including investigation of incidents in order to determine their causes;
• Maintain and improve the knowledge, skills and abilities of Department members in all aspects of the Fire Service by actively planning and training Department members to enable them to effectively and efficiently carry out their duties and responsibilities;
  • Provide the best possible response to requests for assistance in order to protect lives, limit injuries and minimize damage to property and the environment;
  • Encourage and assist our members to conduct themselves in a professional manner that shows respect toward our community, other members of the Department and members of other agencies;
  • Maintain Department facilities, apparatus, equipment and resources in a high state of readiness and cleanliness at all times; and
  • Promote interagency cooperation and mutual respect among all other interacting organizations and their members.

Accountability

The Township of Langley Fire Department is committed to accomplishing its mission. All activities are directed toward this goal while making the best use of available resources. Members utilize their knowledge, skills and abilities to provide timely, responsive assistance to meet the needs of the community.

The Department expects integrity, sensitivity and responsibility from its members as they participate in their daily activities. Members of the Department are responsible for their actions and must strive to maintain the Department’s professional image in all that they do. Members can then be proud of their positive, professional appearance and high-quality performance.

The Department is committed to providing a supportive environment for its members. This builds avenues of trust and cooperation, maintains an understanding that each member is an important resource having valuable qualities to offer to the Department and allows each member to learn and grow individually and as a member of the team.

Pride

The Department recognizes its staff, both paid-call and career, as key Department assets. Our members are proud of being a part of the Department, valuing:

• The ability to help others in time of need, providing a valuable service to the community;
• The knowledge and experience, the diverse training, the personal growth and the learning opportunities;
• A personal satisfaction and pride in what they do, giving a sense of accomplishment;
• The camaraderie, teamwork, sense of being a team member and working with other members of the Department; and
• Their loyalty and commitment, building the reputation of the Department.

Organization

The Fire Department operates under the direction of the Fire Chief who is responsible to the Mayor and Council through the Township Administrator.

In order to deliver the services needed to accomplish the above stated mission, the Department is organized into four major divisions:

Operations -- responsible for the delivery of emergency services for fire and rescue, as well as backup emergency medical services and emergency planning.

Fire Prevention -- responsible for inspections, plan reviews, permits, and investigation.

Training and Education-- responsible for achieving and maintaining the skills and expertise to accomplish the Department's stated mission. The Fire Department is actively involved in educating the public on fire and life safety. Our public educators make presentations throughout the community to schools, community groups and businesses.  

Emergency Planning -- responsible for coordination of municipal services in a major emergency and providing personal disaster assistance under the Provincial Emergency Program..

As part of our desire to keep the public informed on the operation of their fire department, we have prepared our Annual Report 2007.
 

Fire Prevention

One of the primary roles of the Township of Langley Fire Department is to prevent fires from happening. It does this through public education, inspection of businesses and advising property owners how to make their homes and businesses safer. The Department conducts over 3,500 inspections of business throughout the community each year.

Operations

The Township of Langley Fire Department responds to approximately 5,000 emergency calls per year, ranging from structure fires to grass fires, from rescues and auto extrication to backup for the emergency health services. The Department also responds to approximately 300 complaints per year, ranging from burning complaints to reports of hazardous material.

Paid-call firefighters

Paid-call firefighters directly participate in fire and rescue operations, including incident response and the operation of all apparatus and equipment. Men and women between the ages of 19 and 60 who are in good physical condition and have the desire to participate in emergency fire and rescue activities are eligible to apply for openings in any of the Halls. Preference is given to individuals who work shifts or at home or are available during the day. Living in proximity to a firehall is an asset.

Emergency Planning

Preparation for a major disaster such as an earthquake, flood or other major occurrence is important for our citizens to provide them with assistance and other vital services that may become disrupted as a result.

In order to be prepared, plans are in place to provide the community with a coordinated response from all Municipal Departments. This includes arranging for reception centers for the public who may become displaced, coordinating emergency response and setting in motion the necessary steps required for the community to recover. Information is also provided to help our citizens prepare themselves in advance of a major disaster.

Central Fraser Valley Search and Rescue

In partnership with the City of Langley, the City of Abbotsford, the Fraser Valley Regional District, the Provincial Emergency Program and various community groups, the Township of Langley provides support to the Central Fraser Valley Search and Rescue Society. This dedicated group of trained volunteers provide technical rescue and search capabilities for the Lower Fraser Valley. For further information on CFVSAR please contact:

Colin Wiebe
Training Officer/SAR Manager
Central Fraser Valley Search and Rescue Society
Abbotsford, BC
CANADA
http://www.cfvsar.bc.ca/
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