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The first crew from the Enderby Fire Department was sent to 150 Mile House to assist with firefighting efforts on Saturday, July 8th, one of those firefighters being Jesse Vander Kooi.
“Some people lost everything, but the fire came right up to the front steps of other houses and yet they’re still standing,” says Vander Kooi.
The experience put him through a range of emotions, going from a relaxed moment to “surreal” when faced with the task of putting out a fire and contending with winds changing direction.
Crews were put into action right away upon arrival in 150 Mile House, where they joined forces with fellow firefighters locally and from across the province.
“It was pretty wild to watch a small town fire department become a very professional, very well-oiled machine as far as communication, direction, support, and all that,” says Vander Kooi about their team.
For Vander Kooi, it was, “a mix of emotions” fighting the fires burning in the area, and he praises the efforts shown by all the other crews that worked on the fire, including Abbotsford, Lumby, Sicamous, Salmon Arm, and more.
“There’s multiple different departments supporting and making the community stronger as a team, and just watching that was amazing,” he says.
Vander Kooi returned home as part of the first crew sent to the area on Sunday, July 16th. There is still currently a crew from Enderby on rotation in 150 Mile House.
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