Celebrating 12 Years of Service: Chief Alan Rendell Retires
Eagle Bay Fire Hall News
By Jeremy Wozniak, Incident Commander
Fire Chief Alan Rendell
(photo credit Henry Schnell)
Last article of the year. And it contains the biggest news of the last 12 years!
Beloved Eagle Bay Fire Chief Alan Rendell is retiring from 12 glorious years as our courageous leader.
Alan and Emma moved to Canada in 2007. During that year, Eagle Bay firefighter Pat McNeil asked Alan if he would like to join the fire hall. Later that fall he became a member and eventually became Deputy Chief under the command of Fire Chief Jerry Normand.
Alan became Chief in 2013 with the hope “he’d help turn the EBFD from just another, much smaller, mostly anonymous fire department into one that is genuinely well respected within CSRD, the other local departments, and the Eagle Bay community. Well trained, team-centred, enthusiastic and professional. He’s helped raise their profile in the community,” added Emma. Two well noted achievements that are amongst his favourites were being awarded the CSRD Fire Department of the Year in 2018 for their efforts in 2017 and after the 2023 fires when a large number of Eagle Bay community members turned up to the fire hall to thank the fire department.
Although Chief is stepping down, he will thankfully remain a part of the department. On Tuesday December 30, we invite you to join us at the fire hall in celebration of his leadership from 19:00 to 21:00 for refreshments and a presentation at 20:00. From my experience with Chief, these times will be sharp!
His amazing partner in life, Emma Rendell, had these powerful words to share about his passion and dedication to his community:
“I think he’s proud to have been Chief. Far more than any of his other working-life roles. If he was ever asked what he saw as his greatest personal achievement he’d definitely say being a firefighter and the Fire Chief in Eagle Bay, Canada.”
In other large news, Eagle Bay Fire Department has received Superior Tanker Shuttle Accreditation! We worked very hard at our “fast/ big water” initiative and with the support of our mutual aid partners and their tenders, properties in qualifying areas of Eagle Bay may now be recognized by insurance companies as having a higher level of fire protection services. Not all insurance companies are the same so it is best to check with your providers when your insurance renewal time comes up to see if a discount could be applied to your premiums.
Our members are excited to welcome Dave and Tyson to the fire fam. They are both motivated and very talented and are wonderful additions to our team!
This past year had a total of 27 callouts: 4 brush fires, 4 residential alarms, 1 vehicle, 7 burn complaints, 1 structure fire, 5 wires down, 1 wires on tree fire, 4 mutual aid.
This is your last opportunity to contact Fire Chief Alan Rendell at 250-517-0429 to come and join us as a new recruit before the new Chief is announced. You know those green reflective signs that catch your eye as you drive around our communities? They are a great idea for gift giving this holiday season, are made locally, and are available by contacting Lesley at 250-515-3329.
If you take the first letter of every EBFD article in the South Shuswap Scoop this year, it spells something.
Happy Holidays from your Eagle Bay Fire Department!
