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Fire dept. honoured by SPCA for dog rescue

August 2006 – WILLIAMS LAKE  – The Cariboo Regional District’s 108 Mile Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) has been awarded the B.C. SPCA’s highest award – the Kevin Anderson Award of Heroism for the rescue of the dog Elvis from Sepa Lake, it was announced in May.

Last November, a fire department member was walking along the lakeshore when she came across a frantic dog owner whose pet had gone out on the ice, fallen through and was unable to pull itself from the frigid waters. The owner made attempts to go out on the ice to save his pet but was stopped by the member to protect him from the extreme risks presented by the situation. The member called 9-1-1 and requested that the departments trained ice rescue unit respond to the scene.

“Although the CRD fire departments are not authorized to respond to animal rescues, there were extenuating circumstances in this situation,” said CRD Director Al Richmond. “By stopping the pet owner from venturing onto the ice, the VFD was not only saved the dog, but also prevented what could have been a much more serious incident — rescuing the owner.”

The SPCA’s Award of Heroism is presented each year to an individual or group who have demonstrated courage and concern for animals.

In 2004, the 108 Mile VFD underwent rigorous ice rescue training. This situation was the first time that the department was required to use these new skills in a real life situation.