According to Nicholson fire chief Parker Vaile, 2020 has been a hard year to sum up.
With COVID-19, the Nicholson fire department has been limited in what they’ve been able to do over the last few months.
In order to follow provincial health guidelines, the department took training online until mid-August. Since then, they’ve moved back into in person practices, training in small groups and cohorts to keep their numbers low and minimize risk of transmission.
According to Vaile, it’s important to the department to continue to set an example in the community by being conscious of safety practices in and out of the workplace.
When practicing, the department practices social distancing and wears a mask when they are unable to do so.
“With winter around the corner we would like to take the opportunity to remind residents of the importance of proper chimney cleaning and maintenance,” said Vaile.
“The fall always seems to be our busiest time of year with callout volumes.”
According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is the leading cause of home fire death, with half of heating equipment fires being reported during December, January and February.
More information on how to keep your chimney and home safe can be found online, through the Golden Fire Rescue Facebook page and on the NFPA’s website.
