The Bay Roberts Fire Department is a volunteer organization that has been serving Bay Roberts and surrounding areas for over sixty years. It currently has over thirty members, two pumper trucks, two rescue trucks, and one fire van that continue to provide dedicated service.

The Department has already begun a busy summer! They were very pleased to present the Janeway Children’s Hospital with a $3100 donation during the Janeway Children’s Miracle Network Telethon on June 3-4, 2006.

They continue to hold weekly meetings and training sessions, and are now gearing up to participate and provide their services during the town’s 11th Annual Klondyke Days this July.

The Bay Roberts Volunteer Fire Department would like to remind you of some summer safety tips that you can continue to use all year round.

• Check smoke detectors regularly to ensure that they are in proper working order.
• Fire extinguishers are required to be inspected annually. Have your fire extinguishers inspected at least once a year.
• Keep fire hydrants around your home visible and clear of debris. Do not block any fire hydrants when parking, etc.
• Open fires are not permitted.
• If you are vacationing or absent from your home for a prolonged period of time, have a neighbour or friend check on your house regularly.

Have a safe, enjoyable summer!

Telephone: 786-6666

If you are lost, the main thing to remember is “Stay where you’re to ‘til we comes where you’re at!”
Telephone: 786-5444

The Avalon North Wolverines Ground Search and Rescue are a volunteer organization based in Bay Roberts. The organization currently has fifty-five members from the Bay Roberts area, Placentia, New Harbour, and the North Shore. They are the largest group out of twenty-seven search and rescue teams in Newfoundland and Labrador today.

The Ground Search and Rescue Team conduct ground searches with the aid of maps, compass, GPS (global positioning system), VHF radio, etc. The team also conducts Transport Canada boating safety and a number of team members are trained in cold-water rescue.

As of Saturday, June 17, various members of the Avalon North Wolverines have been trained for rappelling which means ‘to descend on a rope in a controlled manner’. Rappelling can be used in rescue applications to access injured people or accident sites. The Avalon North Wolverines are able to better serve the public with this training because it rappelling provides them with a faster, easier and safer solution to descend when the terrain is too difficult to walk or climb.

In the near future, various members of the Avalon North Wolverines will be trained in helicopter rappelling. Those members will become part of a provincial team.

The Ground Search and Rescue would like to offer some tips for your safety this summer:

• Always tell someone where you are going and, if possible, when you expect to return from your destination.
• Never go alone.
• Always go equipped. You should carry items such as a map, compass, matches, food, etc.

The Avalon North Wolverines would like to wish you a safe and happy summer!

Municipal Enforcement in Bay Roberts by Perry Bowering

I am pleased to be writing to you as both your Municipal Enforcement Officer and a first time contributor to the Klondyke Gazette! Please feel free to contact me at 683-4747 or at the Town Council Office at 786-2126. Enjoy your summer!

The role of municipal enforcement officer in the town of Bay Roberts was created in May 2005. Every day was, and continues to be, a challenge due to changing laws, new policies being introduced, etc. Municipal Enforcement duties and responsibilities continue to expand in our ever changing and progressing town. Municipal enforcement responsibilities currently include animal control, promotion/awareness of safe ATV use and elimination of ATVs on our roadways, regulation of vandalism on our town properties, regulation of unkempt properties, dumping and other environmental concerns, and monitoring of building permits and streetlight conditions.

Summer Reminders

• Never allow pets (dogs) to roam. Keep them on a leash or in a pen at all times.
• Report roaming animals.
• The Town of Bay Roberts offers FREE dog tags. For the safety of your pet, register them at the town hall. This will allow them to be easily identified if found.
• For safety and insurance purposes, ATVs are not permitted on our roadways. Do not drive your ATV on the road.
• Report any vandalism on town properties. Our town facilities are for everyone!
• Keep your properties tidy, avoid dumping and other practices that have negative effects on our environment. Keep Bay Roberts as the beautiful town we know and love.
• Remember to get a permit for any construction, outside renovations, and general repairs on you property. Your permit is valid for one full year after the issue date.
• Report any streetlights that are damaged or not working.
• Now that the warmer months are upon us, please remember to conserve our water (i.e. excessive watering of lawns, washing vehicles, etc.)