by Barbara Roden
The Spences Bridge Volunteer Fire Department has donated $1,000 to assist the battered Cache Creek Fire Department, which sustained significant damage and losses during the flood on May 23.
Water, mud, and debris battered the fire hall, causing damage to the building and resulting in the loss of equipment which will need to be replaced.
“We felt bad about what happened [to the Cache Creek firefighters],” said Arnie Oram, SPVFD Chief. “The Ashcroft firefighters have been good about helping us, and we know they have a mutual aid agreement with Cache Creek, and wanted to assist. We do a lot of fundraising, things like bottle drives, to raise money.” Oram met with Cache Creek Fire Chief Tom Moe last week to present the donation.
The fire department in Spences Bridge is a non-profit society made up of volunteers, some of whom act as first responders. Last year, thanks to a recently purchased defibrillator, they saved the life of a man who went into cardiac arrest, and within the last two weeks were able to assist a passenger on the Rocky Mountaineer Railtour train who was in distress. The train made a special stop in Spences Bridge, where first responders stabilized the passenger before she was transported to hospital by air ambulance.
“We [volunteer firefighters] do so much to help out,” said Oram. “We don’t just fight fires; we volunteer to make better communities, helping out at local events.”
The Spences Bridge firefighters are committed to raising more funds to assist their colleagues in Cache Creek. Thanks to Captain Ross Figley, fireman’s boots have been placed in the Spences Bridge post office, convenience store, and the Packing House restaurant to encourage community members to make donations, which will go to assist Cache Creek.
“Whatever we can do to help, we’ll do,” said Oram. “We have a good corps and a strong community feeling.”