MISSISSAUGA, ON – JVCKENWOOD Canada Inc. is proud to announce Barriere Firefighters Association as the latest recipient of the KENWOOD Cares $10,000 communications equipment grant. The new radio equipment was presented on-site at the BC Fire Expo in Kamloops. The annual event aligned with the timeline for presentation and provided a unique venue to do so, with fire agencies from across the province in attendance.
Pictured (L-R): Wilf Mulder, JVCKENWOOD Canada; Scott Abel, Barriere Firefighters Association;
Alexis Hovenkamp, Barriere Fire Rescue; Mike Whitehouse, Kamloops Communications
“A huge thank you is in order for selecting the Barriere Firefighters Association for this grant, said Scott Abel, President, Barriere Firefighters Association. “This gives our department much needed upgraded radio technology that we didn’t currently have as our radios were old and outdated, and many had technical glitches from time to time. This is huge for our department as it allows us to dedicate the funds we saved on purchasing new radios to much needed training for our department members.”
Barriere Fire Rescue is serviced by a group of dedicated volunteers trained in structural and wildland fire suppression, highway rescue and more. They service approximately 2,500 residents within the fire department boundary, attending 85-110 fire calls annually. Along with fire suppression, the volunteers perform several tasks, including livestock extrication and rescue, low/steep angle rescue, FireSmart home assessments, HAZMAT and more. They also work closely with British Columbia Ambulance Service, RCMP, Barriere First Responders Society and Barriere Search and Rescue to prepare and execute emergency plans.
After reviewing many application submissions, Barriere Firefighters Association was chosen as the deserving recipient of the $10,000 KENWOOD Cares grant. Prior to this support, the organization relied on dated radios with limited capabilities.
“JVCKENWOOD Canada is pleased to support Barriere Firefighters Association with the KENWOOD Cares grant,” said Wilf Mulder, Vice President, Safety & Security Division at JVCKENWOOD Canada. “It was evident in their submission that the work they do in their community is critical, and the new radio equipment will have a significant impact on their member safety and efficiency.”
The KENWOOD Cares grant has provided Barriere Fire Rescue with several portable KENWOOD NEXEDGE two-way radios, along with accessories for each unit. The KENWOOD radio equipment has been configured by the team at Kamloops Communications in Kamloops, BC.
“The team at Kamloops Communications are excited and proud to support Barriere Fire Rescue as the recipient of the KENWOOD Cares grant,” said Karen Davis, President, Kamloops Communications. “We are grateful that JVCKENWOOD Canada found Barriere Fire Rescue a worthy recipient. We acknowledge the crucial role KENWOOD radios will play towards ensuring interoperability between fire protection agencies and the fire department. This will go a long way in boosting fire protection for the community as well as the safety of their fire personnel while working in difficult conditions.”
“Barriere Fire Rescue would like to thank JVCKENWOOD Canada and the Barriere Firefighters Association for the donation of new radios and charging stations,” said Derek Ive, Deputy Chief, Barriere Fire Rescue. “We would not have been able to replace the old and dated radio systems without the BFFA. These radios will make our forestry deployments better by letting us communicate with BCWS and other departments when on deployments directly. These will also come in handy while trying to communicate with other mutual aid agencies, like BCAS, ChuChua, SAR and everyone else we work with. Thank you so much to both JVCKENWOOD Canada and the Barriere Firefighters Association.”
Applications are open for the KENWOOD Cares grant program. JVCKENWOOD Canada will again be awarding another Canadian volunteer emergency organization with a communication system support grant valued at $10,000 in equipment. The submission deadline is June 30, 2024. For full details, please visit www.kenwoodcares.ca.