Friday, September 29, 2023 – Partnership, collaboration and emergency preparedness came together in recent days between the Sooke Shelter Society and Sooke Fire Rescue.
Through the District’s Fire Prevention Program, staff can work with agencies to support their emergency preparedness and evacuation protocols to achieve favourable outcomes in the event of fire. The results of these efforts helped to save people and property after a kitchen fire last week at the Hope Centre, located at 6750 West Coast Road.
“We send a heartfelt thank you to all of you for your commitment to protecting our community, courage and selfless service,” Sherry Thompson, Director of the Sooke Shelter Society expressed her appreciation for the work of the Sooke Fire Rescue.
The gratitude is mutual.
Thanks to the quick response of Shelter staff, an efficient evacuation helped ensure the safety of residents. Immediate and ongoing follow-up will include operational inspections and equipment servicing as a part of the District’s Fire Prevention Program.
“After trucks leave a scene, our job isn’t over,” Captain Grayson Kerr explains. “Our team will continue to work with the centre, as we do with other agencies in the community, to provide support and guidance on equipment and facilitate fire restoration as well as emergency support services for residents, where required.”
“Having a plan, conducting exercises to ensure everyone is familiar with the emergency plan, and asking questions are some of the key takeaways I have from this event,” Thompson says. “Emergencies are, by nature, unexpected events. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to prepare,” she adds.
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