A message from Bill Grantham, IAFF Local 1298 President

Welcome to the Powell River Professional Fire Fighters Association’s website. We are 13 members of the International Association of Fire Fighters that encompass chartered local number 1298. The IAFF, as we refer to ourselves, is the driving force behind nearly every advance in fire and emergency services since the early 20th century to present. Based in more than 3,500 communities through out Canada and the United States, we strive to protect not only our own members, but most importantly the public we serve. This translates to representing more than 298,000 fire fighters and emergency personnel who protect 85% of North America’s population.  

I trust that you will find our website informative and a great learning tool to better understand how we as fire fighters strive to better protect the citizens of our community. We continually make every effort to provide the best possible service with the resources that have been made available to us. We have gathered information for you that is not only factual, but affects every citizen and every emergency call we respond to 24 hours a day. 

Our history is unprecedented, and when it comes to lobbying for your safety, we as the IAFF will always be on the frontline for you! For more information about our association please log onto www.iaff.org  

Stay Safe! 

Bill Grantham

Who we are:

We are Powell River’s career fire fighters. As full time fire fighters we take pride in our job, working hard and promoting safety to all citizens. We are committed to saving lives, protecting property and the environment whenever called upon.

We staff the station 24 hours a day allowing a quick response time when seconds count.  There are 12 of us, which works out to three, sometimes two fire fighters on shift at one time. 

We respond to over 800 calls for help each year providing fire protection, medical aid, rescue services, and hazardous materials response. Some of the other services we provide include performing fire inspections, fire extinguisher demos, smoke detector installations for senior citizens, and child seat restraint inspections.

While off duty, we support various charities such as: the BC Professional Fire Fighter Burn Fund, the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Canada, the Link for Life Society, and the Fire Safety House Program.

We work hard to prepare ourselves for any emergency during which we may be called upon for help. We are committed to stand up for the safety of the citizens of Powell River and greatly appreciate your support. Thank you!

(Check out our Dedication video to members past and present.)

-Members of the Powell River Professional Fire Fighters Association
Local 1298 of the International Association of Fire Fighters

Captain Rick Robins: 

Greetings! My name is Capt. Rick Robins and I am privileged to be the current Chaplain for Powell River Fire Rescue in the beautiful community of Powell River. I officially began the position of Chaplain when Capt. Robert Ford retired in February 2011.

My life began in a quaint little town in southeast Saskatchewan called Lampman. After a couple of years, my Dad got a job for Saskatchewan Power and we moved to Estevan, Sask. where I spent the next 22 years of my life. After finishing High School, I got a job in the Oilfields and took some night classes at the community college at the same time. This didn’t last long as I was on the road so much that I found it very difficult to keep up with the classes. I did one semester and continued my work as a non-destructive Inspector of down-hole assemblies and rigging equipment. 

In 1995, I married my high school sweetheart Jennifer. After two years of marriage, my work transferred me and my family to Lloydminster, AB/SK where we lived for seven years. In 2003, Jennifer and I felt the Lord “calling” us into full time ministry in The Salvation Army and in August of 2004 we made the trek to St. John’s, NFLD. where we commenced training to become Salvation Army Officers. After two years of intense training, we were commissioned and ordained as Officers/Pastors of The Salvation Army and placed in Powell River, BC. where we have been for five years now. We have three wonderful children Tom (18yrs old), Helena (14yrs old) and Timothy (9yrs old).

As Chaplain and a Salvation Army Officer, I hope that I will be able to meet people of all backgrounds, regardless of faith, and help them find hope in what seems at times to be a hopeless world and help them get and/or stay connected to this great community of Christ in which we live. I hope and pray that I will be able to accomplish this in and through the strength of the Lord Jesus Christ. I accepted Jesus Christ into my life when I was but a wee child. Through God’s Grace and patience over the years, God has shaped me and made me ready for His service. 

I am a member of the Federation of Fire Chaplains and have Critical Incident Stress Management level one training for one on one debriefing and pastoral counseling training.

As the firemen respond and the siren rings, “may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all” (2 Thes. 3:16 & 18).