Like many emergency responders across Greater Victoria, Rob Marshall became a firefighter for one reason B次元官网网址� to help people.
Having worked at the B.C. Fire Commissioners Office previously, MarshallB次元官网网址檚 passion was public education around fire safety. Since then, heB次元官网网址檚 morphed from the public education side, which included code inspections and fire investigations, to become a firefighter with View Royal Fire Rescue. As part of his current position as assistant chief, Marshall gets the best of both worlds, education and keeping the public safe.
B次元官网网址淲hat drew me to that [becoming a firefighter] was that you can have an effect on both sides. You can have an effect during the fire as well as after the fire and before the fire,B次元官网网址� said Marshall, who has been with the department for the past 16 years.
Now, Marshall is one of 38 firefighters with the View Royal Fire Rescue, that are celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.
The department originally started in 1948, when 18 men came together on the ideals of protecting citizens of View Royal and providing a safer community for all. Since then, the department has grown by leaps and bounds.
RELATED: New View Royal fire hall adds spark to community
The department ordered a new truck in 2012 and will be ordering another one this year. Most recently, the department moved from its previous facility at 283 Island Hwy. into its new fire hall at 333 Island Hwy. in 2015, which also houses the offices of bylaw enforcement, emergency management and building services.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 firefighters who never experience a new truck or a new fire hall B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 quite incredible to be here for such a moment. WeB次元官网网址檝e had a whole bunch of milestones happen in the last five years. You couldnB次元官网网址檛 ask for more,B次元官网网址� Marshall said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 special not just for us, but for our municipality as well. Seventy-years of volunteer service is pretty good.B次元官网网址�
As part of its 70th anniversary, the department is also hosting its 12th annual open house on Saturday, June 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The open house includes a car fire simulator (the only one of its kind on the Island), grease fire explosions, sprinkler protection, and a platoon firefighter combat challenge.
Kids can also participate in a junior firefighters challenge with nine tasks to complete, including learning how to use a fire extinguisher and dress up in firefighterB次元官网网址檚 gear. At the end, theyB次元官网网址檒l receive a certificate as a junior firefighter. There will also be display trucks, hot dogs and cake.
Parking is limited, as a result the department is encouraging residents to use alternative methods of transportation, and are offering a safe place to store bikes. For more information visit
Like us on and follow us on
kendra.wong@goldstreamgazette.com
