Barrie Police vs. Barrie Fire
Members of the Barrie Police Association organized a jousting match versus the members of the Barrie Professional Fire Fighters Association. Proceeds from the event were donated to the Canadian Cancer Society.
 

Barrie Fighters, Local 1753
Above and Beyond the Call!

Aside from the icon of Jerry Lewis, there is but one organization which symbolizes the work and effort involved with the fund raising towards Muscular Dystrophy and that organization is your local fire department. The men and women of the Barrie Fire and Emergency Service are no exception to this. Since 1970 we have proudly exerted our persona in fund raising towards the betterment of our community and towards a cure for Muscular Dystrophy. There is more to a successful campaign than simply erecting some signs and holding out your hand, just ask any politician! Our campaign is no different. It takes strategic planning, improving on past campaigns, forging partnerships and hours and hours of volunteer time from our members. On only one occasion, the devastating tornado to hit Barrie in 1985, did we suspend fund raising.

After the MD toll gates drive of 1995, we as an Association wanted to improve fundraising for MD as well as address the growing need to develop a Community Projects’ branch within our Association and the funds required to operate it. These funds specific for Community Projects would be raised and spent within our own community. After a heated debate during an Association meeting it was determined to marry the MD toll gates with the Community Projects Fund. This would entail a 50/50 split of the funds raised to go to each organization. At first glance one may assume that sharing the cause would have meant diminished resources for each initiative. Nothing could be further from the truth! Our totals have increased exponentially from $30926.00 in 1996 to an astounding $102, 315.00 in 2007! A quick summary of monies has Local 1753 fundraising well over $600,000.00 for MD and since 1996 over $300,000.00 for Community Projects. Not too shabby considering this was accomplished from a local of 124 members and a municipality with a population of 125,000. Local 1753 can proudly say we are one of the top fundraisers for Muscular Dystrophy in Ontario!
What factors are leading the charge to our success? Well, one element is our ability as an Association to maintain a high volunteer turnout. Beginning a career as a firefighter in Barrie under the umbrella of the Barrie Professional Fire Fighters Association carries an enormous responsibility not only to the municipality and its citizens we serve but also to the Association itself. A new recruit is given a preliminary education of Association business but also their role and expectations of them as members in good standing. They are strongly encouraged to participate in the toll gates and other avenues of fundraising. Most importantly it is the positive image that we as fire fighters possess within our municipality, the value of this image and the stake that this image holds in a successful future. It is explained that this outlook towards fire fighters has not been gifted but rather earned through hard work and community involvement. Participation at some level is a must! We are also very fortunate to have volunteering along side our members, family and friends, retirees, students from the local pre-fire service program at Georgian College(which requires their students to participate in community service hours) and politicians from all three levels of government.
The participation of this last group has produced a spin off effect and generated for us in roads into the field of political action as it allows us to educate the politicians on what we do beyond the scope of responding to emergencies and shows them how well received we are as a group in the community at large! These forged political relationships also remind those participating that fire fighters are a political force than can work for you as a politician but also against you on issues of disagreement. Our focus on political action easily meshes with our golf tournaments which we sponsor for various charities. This avenue allows us to forge relationships with local sponsors, politicians as well as municipal administrators. Truly a grand slam!
Since our decision to start up the Community Projects Fund, we have been fortunate to not only create partnerships with all levels of government but also with prominent members of our local business community. Without these partners, who give regularly to our fund, we would not have the success we so cherish today. A strong pat on the back goes out to our local Royal Bank who in the past has donated their time and effort into the counting of not only the bills but the numerous blue boxes of coins collected at the toll gates. Also, in 2001, we raised in partnership with the Royal Bank over $20,000.00 for the Royal Victoria Hospital Cancer Center! Participating in that amazing community spirit is Georgian Air which operates out of the local airport just north of Barrie. Shortly after 9-11, the owner of Georgian Air flew two plane loads of local fire fighters down to New York at no cost. Coupled with this generosity was Avis who provided us with the vans for transport! It does not stop here though. Other avenues of fund raising or benefits there of are our annual calendar which raises thousands of dollars for Camp Bucko, a burn camp for kids where we not only donate funds but also volunteer time as counselors for the kids. Along side this we participate in local fashion shows (a fun night for those participating and viewing), the Lung Association Truck Pull against our local police force, bowling tournaments and the staple of summer time, the ever popular golf tournaments. Our flagship golf tournament is in honour of our fallen Brother, Bill Wilkins who died in the line of duty in 2002. Firefighters from all over North America participate to raise funds for a scholarship at Georgian College in Barrie for their Pre-Service Fire Program. This tournament alone has raised over $25000.00 to date!
The Barrie Professional Fire Fighters Association Community Projects Committee’s responsibility for fund raising is enormous but extremely rewarding. They and others in our Association who coordinate events, not only fund raise but distribute monies to organizations, community groups and individuals within our community who are in need of assistance. The “Toll Gate” has by far been our most successful avenue to raise funds. Our signs are custom made reflecting our pledge to support the MD cause, our desire to raise money for our community and our commitment to our fallen Brother Bill Wilkins. Pride permeates from everyone that has donated their time to stand by one of these signs and ask the public for a contribution. It is this pride that infects the citizens of Barrie and these same people can rest assured that the fire fighters in their community will continually work towards a better community not only on a local level but a national level as well.

 

SCREENING COLONSCOPIES FOR
FIRE FIGHTERS

Firefighters may assume significant risks associated with colon cancer throughout their lives as a consequence of being a firefighter. It is recommended that firefighters assume a screening program. Screening is recommended to begin at the age of 40 and it should be repeated every three to five years.
To read a PDF letter from Dr. Hartly Stern Click Here

 

$102 315.58
BARRIE MD & Community Projects
2007 BOOT DRIVE TOTAL
The Boot Drive is the most popular and successful fundraising event, currently delivered by fire fighters in Barrie.
For those not familiar with a Boot Drive, it is really quite simple. Fire fighters collect donations in their boots. You will find us in high traffic areas, such as shopping malls or street corners. As the public is walking or driving by, the fire fighters stop them and ask if they wish to donate.

The fundraising is solely volunteer driven by fire fighters, their families and fire fighter students. To increase their visibility on-duty fire fighters may set up fire apparatus - especially the fire trucks, which are a sure attention grabber.
Without a doubt in Canada Fire Fighters are the largest single group of fundraisers for Muscular Dystrophy Canada. Each year they raise in excess of $2 million dollars, and this amount continues to increase year after year. Last year over $93,000 was raised in Barrie. Half the money raised stays in Barrie to support local Community Projects and the other half is donated to support Muscular Dystrophy Canada.

Click on “Support” above to see how we support our community.

 

 

 

 

BPFFA President Len Mitchell and Kevin White meet with MP Patrick Brown and Prime Minister Stephen Harper

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday April 17 - BPFFA members voted to ratify the deal signed by our executives.

March 25, 2007 - Ontario Health Premium Grievance
Decision details: CLICK HERE
Arbitrator: Mary Cummings
Note: if you need the password contact Nathan

April 16 - MCPL Jody Mitic

As you know the BPFFA Community Projects recently lent support to a project spear headed by Amanda's husband Cory and the folks of Barrie Harley Davidson, to build a custom bike for MCPL Jody Mitic.

Jody, one the top ranked snipers in the Canadian military, serving with the Royal Canadian Regiment was severely wounded n Afghanistan losing both his feet.

MCPL Mitic is an advid motorcyclist and after his mishap he wondered how he would ever ride again let alone realize his dream of owning and riding a custom bike, instead of a rice rocket.

When hearing of his plight Cory Wickham and the staff and owners of BHD forged ahead to build a custom bike for Jody with the modifications that would allow him to ride again.

Saturday night after 2-3 months of "covert operations", Cory, The staff of Barrie Harley Davidson, family, friends and members of the BPFFA performed the perfect "Op" and surprised MCPL Jody Mitic with the present action of a custom made bike.

 

Support Our Troops!!!

 

TORONTO FIRE CLOSE CALL

Below is some really good footage of a Toronto close call. The three
FF's were trapped on the second floor and used the head first ladder
bail to get out when it was to hot. Please use this clip when you are
doing the upper floor egress training with your Platoons. The clip is
from Geoff Boisseau of Toronto Fire. He has a lot more raw footage that
he will be giving us when I see him next. There have been a number of
incidents lately in Canada and the U.S. where suvival tactics have
turned a potential tragety into a happy ending. Nice to see the
training paying off. Click here for video

IAFF Media Awards Contest Honours the best reporting and photography of Fire Service and Emergency Response. The deadline for entries is May 1, 2007. Entries must have been published or broadcast between January 1 and December 31, 2006. More Details

 

TOLL GATES
Barrie Firefighters are once again held the annual MD Toll Gates at select Barrie shopping malls from Thursday June 15th until Saturday June 17th. Barrie showed it's support for Firefighters Community Projects and for finding a cure for Muscular Dystrophy. Barrie fire fighters have a tradition of raising funds dating back to 1972, with all 124 local members participating in the fundraising efforts. Family members, retirees, college students and city council members also assisted Barrie fire fighters in raising money for MDC. Thank You Barrie!

 

The fire fighter's guide to health and nutrition.

Welcome to Fit to Survive, your source for a healthier life, brought to you by IAFF’s Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness/Fitness Initiative. You’ll find expert advice and practical information on staying fit and healthy, as well as recipes and nutrition tips to make your next firehouse meal wholesome and delicious.

Click here

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