Cluculz Lake Volunteer Fire Dept

07/18/2026

Fire pagers went off about 1500. Our department responded to and searched for a wildfire, finally locating with help from local residents and BC Wildfire helicopter.

Our crew arrived on scene and in order to get to the fire ran 750 feet of hose from the truck to the fire as our engine and tender were unable to make it up the road closer to the fire. Once set up our crew spent 4 hours on scene. BC Wildfire responded but was soon redeployed to a second flare up in the area. At our request for mutual aid a crew from Vanderhoof fire department responded.

Once the fire was confirmed out and the burned area was tossed and soaked thourgouhly our crew returned to the hall.

Upon return to the hall members spent an additional hour and half cleaning gear and refitting the units in preparation for the next call.

Many of our members today responded from home, from their work, or delayed going to work to be able to fight this fire that could have spread drastically. For that we thank each member who responded today.

07/18/2026

All crew returned safely to the hall following response to a wildfire at 1500. Thanks to local residents for calling it and helping us to locate the fire. Thanks to BC Wildfire and mutual aid response from Vanderhoof.

07/16/2026

Good afternoon. It has come to my attention that some people have the misconception of what exactly our response area is. So, in order to clear up more assumptions based on faulty information here you go. We do NOT in fact “service Highway 16 between Vanderhoof and Prince George”. Our service area is called a Fire Protection Area. It is well defined. Our total area covered is 357 sq km. On the highway itself, our eastern end essentially starts at the regional district boundary, near the Bobtail overpass. You will notice highway signs coming and going that state ‘Entering Cluculz Lake Fire Protection District’ or the opposite, ‘Leaving…..’. On the western side, going to Vanderhoof, there are also these signs, which are located just west of the old auction place before you go down the hill there. Sorry, hard to describe that without a better landmark or side road or anything. That’s the basics of the east-west boundary. From the highway our area goes all the way north to the river. Going south of the highway, it actually goes almost all the way down to where Bobtail FSR meets the Blackwater FSR. I will have a large map at the meeting for people to see in detail of where we go.
This is currently the only area we will respond to for structure fires, mvi’s or medical calls. There are exceptions however. In the past five years we did respond outside of this area on two calls, both involving vehicle fires. The reason we went was because it was summer and in both cases the fires had spread away from the highway and into the brush to a short extent. If it weren’t for our response these fires would have moved unchecked into the brush and forest and we would have had a forest fire to contend with. In both cases, it was in July and August respectively. In one case, spot fires were started at Hwy 16 and Meier Rd and continued all the way to the Bednesti restaurant. We had multiple fires everywhere. If left unchecked, I can only imagine what the outcome would have been.
Currently Vanderhoof Fire Rescue responds outside of their Fire Protection Area for motor vehicle incidents (MVI’s). The current area covered, towards us, extends all the way to the regional district boundary near the Bobtail overpass. Likewise, Beaverly Fire Rescue also responds to MVI’s all the way from their hall in Beaverly to the regional district boundary near the Bobtail overpass. Recently, in early December of 2025, we did start to respond to MVI’s, ONLY to assist Vanderhoof Fire Rescue with traffic control. We are not yet trained nor equipped for auto-extrication. That is coming this fall but it may be some time before we are in a position to at least cover our own area. As it stands, we still only assist Vanderhoof Fire Rescue, in our own area.
I hope this helps clarify what our response area actually is and where we go to do our job.

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07/15/2026

Whatever your position, come learn the information, hear the facts, ask questions, and make an informed decision before you vote.

07/14/2026

*The address used in this video is not real.

07/13/2026

Good evening. In reading some other publicly made statements I feel compelled to respond. In my earlier post I ended it with asking people to please stop making assumptions based on erroneous thinking or incomplete information. Certain persons are actually stating that our medical training is so basic that all we can do is CPR.
So here it is, to inform you what we can do as a First Responder when going to medical calls. First, I preface this by saying our members go through a 64hr long course. Upon successful completion they are then LICENSED to the level of First Responder. More on that in minute. This is not a first aid course. There are expectations to meet, and it is stringent.
Now for the licensing. We are governed by the EMALB or Emergency Medical Assistant Licensing Board. A provincial government level agency. The levels are as follows:
First Responder (FR), Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Primary Care Paramedic, Advanced Care Paramedic, then Critical Care Paramedic. Now, PCP’s, ACP’s and CCP are dominantly employed by the BC Emergency Health Service or ambulance service as we commonly know it. EMR’s while commonly employed by BCEHS are also found in a lot of full-service municipal department like Prince George. FR’s are considered an entry level and are used by most volunteer departments in BC that run a first responder program. This is what we have here. FR.
The FR role is to initialize assessment and treatment of patients prior to ambulance arrival. In rural areas like ours there can commonly be significant delays, so our members fill that that gap. After ambulance arrival, our members transition to a support role to assist BCEHS personnel with patient extrication or whatever else may be required. They are not required to do this, they choose to do it!
For the FR level, despite being an entry level license, many skills and treatments are allowed to be performed, and several medications can be administered. Some of which can be considered life saving. A great deal of time is spent on anatomy and physiology, so the members have a better understanding of when someone is sick or injured. They are taught indepth assessment models including vital signs such as blood pressures, glucometers, the ability to measure oxygen levels in your blood (SPO2 monitoring). Some of the skills they are taught include, yes CPR (for cardiac arrests only, not heart attacks), and airway management, including mechanical suctioning and airway adjuncts. As well they can conduct spinal management, wound packing, chest seals, tourniquets for deadly bleeds, childbirth, and neonatal resuscitation (newborns). They can also administer several medications – Aspirin, Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Gluco-gel, Glucagon, Epinephrine, TXA (anti-fibrinolytics) for wound packing, Naloxone, and oxygen (yes it is in fact a drug).
As well they are taught critical thinking skills. The chest pain from a car accident must be managed very differently from a heart attack.
These skills like any other must be maintained. I cannot speak for other area departments but here we practice these twice a month in addition to our regular weekly fire practices.
I hope this clears up some of the misleading statements that are being made out there.

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07/10/2026

Good morning,
I have read the posts and comments regarding this proposed taxation increase from the RDBN to obtain better funding for the Cluculz Lake Volunteer Fire Department. I wish I could say was encouraged, but I am not. I will preface this post by advising all who read this, that I speak plainly, bluntly and honestly. Brutally so if need be. After some thought, on these comments I realized this community has a profound problem. There are two distinct camps on this issue.
On the one side, we have community residents who support us, who have some legitimate concerns and questions but by and large they are putting their community, their neighbour, their friends and family, first. To all of you who have, either quietly or openly, supported what we do, I genuinely thank you.
Then we have the other side. Which also has legitimate concerns and questions. The difference? This group of people, whether you live year round here or not, are making massive assumptions based on faulty, incorrect or missing information or in one comment, an outright lie. Then some are making inflammatory comments. I am appalled that some are actually suggesting that we close down the fire department. And some who make statements such as “There is no way I will agree to this tax increase until RDBN assures everyone affected will have an insurance recognized firewall within 8km of thier residence. Otherwise, it just costs them more money, without a break on thier insurance, and the probability that thier home will be protected in the case of a fire. “
Our goal has been and always will be to serve the community. To this end my primary goal is get us into the position to then become a recognized, certified department. You are right. We currently are not. The primary reason is in fact NOT the lack of fire hydrants, it is secured, stable funding. Full stop! You are also right in that only those that are within 8km will be immediately affected when we become a certified department. Yes, some insurers do cover out to 13km from the hall but in order to be a certified department, we are held to achieving certain parameters based on 8km. So, this is what I have focused on. The only two stumbling blocks left that stand in our way to becoming a certified department? The number of members and secured, stable funding. We are actually meeting most of the other requirements to become a certified department.
I will address the number of members issue first. We are always looking for people to join. But here is where I am blunt. I need commitment. And I also need people who can actually do the job. I have had a few people apply in the last 18 months but never followed through with the application process. I don’t chase people; I don’t hold your hand. I expect commitment. I expect people to step up. I will not mince words on this. I get it. We all work. Most of my members, myself included don’t work in the community. Some of us are away from the community for days or even weeks at a time. That’s life. But being a member of the fire department is awesome! It really is. My goal has been, for several years now, to have 25 members. Active members. Not just people who join but don’t show up. That doesn’t help us. We currently have 15. Two of which are not active for reasons I will not disclose. So, in effect we have 13. We train once a week, on Wednesdays for 2hrs. That the minimum commitment. That’s it. We do a lot more for sure, but this is the minimum commitment expected.
Now for the issue of secured, stable funding. Part of the certification process is to show that we have stable funding. This means guaranteed monies coming in. The idea of fundraising, donations, grant money, etc is not even considered. That does not constitute stable funding. And anyone that even remotely suggests otherwise, simply doesn’t want to hear the truth. Sorry, my bluntness showing through here. I cannot even consider getting satellite halls without secured funding. My vision is 3 satellite halls around the lake. This will give you, the property owners, the area coverage you need to meet the insurance parameters. Even if we were to have funding in place now, it will take time to get these satellite halls built and then stocked with the necessary equipment and apparatus. You will not get these halls all at once or in quick succession. That’s just not realistic. I am fully aware of the problems surrounding this. I also think that some of you don’t truly understand the cost that it takes just to run the department, even one as small as ours. Our current budget does not allow for the costs related to training or the purchase of equipment IN ANY manner. NONE! Don’t kid yourself. Some are suggesting we can just continue on as we are, that we seem to be doing ok. Guess what? We aren’t! Are we getting better, yes. But we are seriously behind of where we should be as a department. Will we stop trying to get donations, or fundraising, or applying for grants to then just rely solely on taxation money? Absolutely not! I have no desire to see a major increase in taxation either. But an increase is needed. A big one.
There are many comments related to the issue of insurance. You want to see bang for your buck. That I understand! So, you want us to be a certified department. You want to have access to simply being able to get fire insurance and if you can get it, you want a significant break on it. But then some of you quite literally are proposing to see us shut down or seem to be quite willing to hamstring us by keeping the status quo, thinking that everything is peachy. So much so that we will never achieve our goals. You quite literally are self defeating. I cant put this any other way. You cannot have one without the other.
Funding has been and will be for some time, my main concern. I can recruit more people. But we don’t have the funds to train them and equip them. Its that simple. FUNDING! This is why we are having the meeting. I encourage you to attend. Ask questions, get answers. But please, for the love of God, stop making assumptions based on erroneous thinking or incomplete information.
There will be a lot of information to absorb at the meeting. We will do our best to address concerns. I would ask that, as property owners, you come being thoughtful and lay out your concerns. Please be respectful. Everyone is giving up their time on a weekend to be there.
Respectfully,
Andrew Kalyn – Fire Chief
Cluculz Lake Volunteer Fire Department

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07/02/2026

Happy Canada Day everyone!!

07/01/2026

Community Meeting & Fire Hall Open House – Saturday, July 18, 2026

The Cluculz Lake Volunteer Fire Department and Community Hall is encouraging all members and their families to attend an important community meeting on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at the Community Hall.

Community Meeting
Time: 10:00 a.m. – approximately 11:30 a.m.

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss a proposal to increase funding from the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako (RDBN) for the fire department.

Representatives in attendance will include:

Jason Blackwell, Regional Fire Chief
Shirley Moon, Electoral Area F Director
Additional RDBN Directors and key staff

This meeting is an important opportunity for residents to learn more about the proposal, ask questions, and better understand how increased funding could strengthen the future of our fire department and the services we provide to the community.

We strongly encourage all department members to attend and invite their families as well. A strong community turnout demonstrates the value our residents place on maintaining a well-equipped, sustainable volunteer fire department.

Fire Hall Open House

Following the meeting, everyone is invited to join the fire hall for an Open House from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Enjoy a tour of the hall, meet members of the department, and stay for a complimentary BBQ featuring hot dogs, generously supported by the RDBN.

We look forward to seeing you there and appreciate your continued support of the Cluculz Lake Community.

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06/23/2026

Recently, members of the Cluculz Lake Volunteer Fire Department participated in live fire training, providing valuable hands-on experience in fire suppression, interior searches and rescues, teamwork, and firefighter safety. Training like this helps ensure our members are prepared to respond effectively when our community needs us most.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this training opportunity possible.