On June 12, 2024, the Huu-ay-aht First Nations organized a heartwarming appreciation dinner at the House of Huu-ay-aht to acknowledge the incredible dedication of the Bamfield Volunteer Fire Department (BVFD) to ensuring the safety of the community.
The sun was shining brightly as members of the Bamfield and Anacla communities gathered for the special event to honour the BVFD members. As a symbol of gratitude, Huu-ay-aht arranged a cultural brushing ceremony, followed by presenting each BVFD member with a blanket and a custom-designed T-shirt. The evening ended in a delightful seafood feast, bringing everyone together in celebration.
The BVFD began in 1970 as a volunteer, fundraised society. Members worked hard to fundraise throughout the year to pair with tax input and provide Bamfield and Anacla communities with fire suppression services. Eventually, the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) worked with BVFD to help manage the department from a regional standpoint. Together, they built a new hall and continued fundraising for equipment. In 2015, BVFD added a First Responder program to provide emergency medical services to the communities. Through an agreement of services, the BVFD can provide Fire Suppression and emergency medical services to the community of Anacla.
At present, the BVFD is comprised of 30 members, several of whom have selflessly volunteered for over 30 years. Notable among them are Gord Hawkins, who has served for 36 years, Paul Demontigny, with an impressive 43 years of service, and Phil Lavoie, who has dedicated 14 years of his life to the BVFD.
The event featured speeches from notable figures, including Huu-ay-aht Chief John Jack (Sayaač̓atḥ), Executive Director Karen Haugen (Tleeh-is-a-tuuk-aq-suup), Bob Schmidt representing Bob Beckett from ACRD, and Deputy Chief and First Responder Amelia Vos from BVFD. Their encouraging words and heartfelt acknowledgments added a special touch to the evening, leaving a lasting impact on all attendees.