As one of the smallest in B.C., the Caycuse Volunteer Fire Department practically has to beg, borrow and steal to keep things operating.

The department has a tanker from Honeymoon Bay, a mini pumper from Willis Point and an old Lake Cowichan pumper.

Mostly, though, they have to make their own things, including a fire rescue truck in which the engine was rebuilt and Mark Wilson did the body work.

“That’s the way we have to do it,” said firefighter Ron Couch. “We can’t afford to hire mechanics or other people to do the work for us.”

The main problem is that, while most fire departments have a secure source of funding, such as their local government, the Caycuse department is stationed on private land and doesn’t come under the jurisdiction of the Cowichan Valley Regional District, although over the years director Joe Allan has helped provide grants-in-aid..

“We’re still just running on Gaming money, under public safety,” said Chief Bruce Wilson. “All the money has to go toward safety.”

That allows the department to provide food, blankets, tarps, tents and a griddle for potential emergencies such as an earthquake. They have to assume that in some emergencies, help won’t arrive for days or weeks and people will have to look after themselves.

The department also receives help from groups like the Duncan Elks Club, who provided a donation that helped purchase a fire hose nozzle.

The other big challenge, because Caycuse has a small population, is having enough members to be able to respond to emergencies. Wilson said the fire department put the word out that just because someone isn’t a trained firefighter, there are things they can do to help.

“If you can start your lawnmower, you can start a pump,” he said. “It frees up the firefighters who are trained. We utilize everyone we’ve got.”

Under its mandate, the Caycuse Volunteer Fire Department is responsible for covering the old logging camp area, where people live, as well as responding to motor vehicle accidents or medical emergencies in the surrounding area, if there is enough manpower to still provide coverage for Caycuse proper.