Community

Photo credit:  @JF_Photo_Cinema

With the extensive snowmobile trail system in our coverage area, combined with the high demand for sleds, in February 2021 the Keswick Valley Fire Department partnered with the Keswick River Trail Blazer Snowmobile Club #59. Together we will collaborate on responding to emergency calls.

Prior to hitting the trails, we urge you to take precautions:

• • Ensure you are familiar with the laws regarding snowmobile use

  • Inspect your machine before you ride

  • Don’t drive under the influence

  • Be aware of your surroundings and always focus on the trail ahead

  • If you’re new, consider taking a lesson or two to brush up on your skills and knowledge

  • Whenever possible, travel in groups

If travelling in a small group, or alone, leave a travel plan with someone reliable.

The morning of 20 January 2019 the GAP Auto head office and manufacturing plant in Keswick Ridge caught fire. In conjunction with our mutual aid departments, over 60 firefighters collaborated together to extinguish the fire for this family run business. 

Many times the biggest success stories for volunteer fire departments are the ones that are the least dramatic.  On 21 May 2021 we received a call for a house on fire in Douglas. On arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke and moderate fire in a bedroom. Firefighters quickly ensured that the two-unit home was evacuated, then extinguished the fire. Because the residents had operating smoke alarms, and closed the bedroom door on discovery of the fire, and the quick actions of your volunteer firefighters, the damage was limited to one room of a large home. The fire easily could have been MUCH worse. These are some of the largest successes for us, and for you, the residents we volunteer for.  We would also like to extend gratitude for our colleagues at the Keswick Ridge Fire Department who also provided support for this operation.