Invermere Fire/Rescue (IFR) has had an encouraging 2009 with many projects still continuing.

The department now has 30 members which is an increase over past years.

According to the group, there were 11 new people who came on board this year to help with the challenging job of being a firefighter in the area.

The Invermere Fire/Rescue is one of the valley’s largest departments and because of this the people who volunteer have to learn about many different types of incidents that they may have to face.

IFR responds to fire suppression calls, confined space rescues, and over the bank rescues.

They are also responsible for road rescue in and outside the District of Invermere.

Their road rescue area covers from halfway to Golden to halfway to Fairmont, and from west of Panorama to the B.C./Alberta border. Many firefighters take courses for basic and advanced road rescue and structural interface firefighting.

The department is looking forward to updating courses in confined space, emergency vehicle operations, and live burn exercises. This only helps the firefighters be prepared to protect people when they are called out to any incidents.

With call volumes currently on the rise, IFR is rising to meet the challenge.

One way that they are attempting to do this is through raising funds for an new rescue vehicle.

This has been an ongoing process for the department and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Over two years of hard work has got the group closer to their goal with the help coming from people all throughout the Columbia Valley.

When looking into the future, the department hopes people will “Stay Fire Smart! Don’t Get Burned.”