About Us
Invermere Fire - Rescue (IFR) has a total
crew of 27 volunteers on a paid on call basis, to provide
services such as fire protection, vehicle extrication,
confined space rescue and over the bank rescue. IFR has a
chief, deputy chief, and five captains.
There are approximately 100 calls a year for service, half
of which are road rescue calls. IFR attends industrial
and aircraft accidents as well. With recent expansion, the
service area includes the District of Invermere, Wilmer, Athalmer, Toby Benches, Juniper Heights and surrounding
areas. The growing valley population and increased
popularity of this region has resulted in the 911 telephone
service being used in our area.
History
The Invermere Fire Department was formed in 1952, with
five members. The Athalmer Fire Department, formed in 1964,
joined the Invermere Fire Department in 1967. In 2000, the
Invermere Fire Department, at the request of the BCAS, took
over responsibility for road rescue, becoming Invermere Fire
Rescue.
Invermere’s first fire truck was a 1931 International Open
Cab. The second fire truck was a 1941 International. The
third apparatus, Old Red, is a 1952 Thibault Bickle Seagrave,
no longer in active service, but responds to parade duties
only, and was restored by donations and volunteer time.
Invermere Fire/Rescue has grown to two pumpers, tender,
Quick Response and a Rescue unit that are currently in
active service.
The original Invermere Fire Department chief was Chief
Gordon Lake, followed by Chief Jerry Kebe and Chief Ray
Hemmelgarn. Chief Roger Ekman has been at the helm of
Invermere Fire Rescue since 1982. Chief Ekman has come on
staff as paid part-time in 2010.
In 2012, Invermere Fire Rescue will celebrate its 60 th
Anniversary of service.
As a volunteer based
department we rely on donations and community support. As a
token of our appreciation, we will have our sponsors names
here and links to their businesses.
In
case of Emergency Dial 911
Non Emergency (250) 342-3200 • Fax
(250) 342-6642 • 626 - 4th Street • PO Box 1042 Invermere BC
V0A 1K0
