Chimney, structural fire calls down in Beckwith in 2011

Posted Jan 5, 2012 By Desmond Devoy

EMC News - The number of chimney and structural fire calls in Beckwith Township has gone down in the past 12 months.

Between December 2010 and December 2011, there were five calls for structural fires, and two for chimney fires. For the same period from 2009 to 2010, there were 11 calls for structural fires and six for chimney fires.

However, the number of alarm calls overall nearly doubled, from 11 calls 2009-10 to 22 in 2010-11, according to the Beckwith Fire Department's annual report, which was presented at the department's annual general meeting (AGM) on Dec. 12 at the Beckwith Township Fire Hall on the Ninth Line.

The total number of calls were also down to 77 calls from December 2010 to December 2011, from 79 for the same period the year previous.

The Beckwith Fire Department is made up of 30 volunteers, led by Fire Chief Bill McGonegal and Deputy Fire Chief Brent Lewis.

In a press release, Beckwith Township Reeve Richard Kidd stated he was very proud of the work done by the volunteer firefighters and their leadership.

"We are very proud of the Beckwith Fire Department for keeping the residents safe, not only by their firefighting ability, but also their efforts towards fire prevention," Kidd was quoted as saying.

CANNON RETIRES

Volunteer firefighter Kirk Cannon took the opportunity at the AGM to announce his retirement. McGonegal announced the appointment of Darwin Nolan, a 21-year veteran firefighter, to fill the position of captain on the team.

"I would like to thank Kirk Cannon for his dedication to the Beckwith Fire Department over the years in his fire as firefighter and captain," McGonegal was quoted as saying in the press release: "Kirk had one of the leading roles in training exercises with the department. I would also like to congratulate Darwin Nolan for being chosen to the fill the captain's position. Darwin brings 21 years experience to the captain's role and I know he will do a great job."

The fire department made several capital purchases in 2011, including a smoke ejector, pressure steamer, replacement of the three bunker units and the replacement of four portable radios.

The fire department was also kept busy with 27 requests from homeowners to inspect homes. Of those homes inspected, 25 were found to be compliant with the smoke alarm program.