The Onslow-Belmont Fire Brigade is an organization dedicated to saving lives and protecting property through fire prevention, suppression and public education. Our coverage area includes almost 1800 homes and businesses covering 225 sq km's of land in Colchester. It includes forest, remote mountain areas, marsh, farm land, rivers, residential subdivisions, commercial developments, 22km's of 100 series highways and 10 km's of CN rail tracks. We have 35-40 active members and several more honorary and support members. We are all volunteers with no compensation for our time.

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Our call volume for 2020 was cut almost in half due to Covid-19, down from over 200 calls/year to 122 calls. Of these, 5 were structure fires and 3 were vehicle fires. The estimated loss due to fires including structures and vehicles for the year was $988,500. This was our second worst year for fire loss since 1961. We attended 40 medical calls, mostly in the first quarter before being put on hold due to Covid-19. Motor vehicle accidents accounted for 28 calls and calls from neighbouring fire brigades for mutual aid assistance totaled 14. We responded to 6 brush and grass fires and 5 flue fires. We also had 21 miscellaneous calls. Miscellaneous calls include things like alarm activation's, carbon monoxide, gas leaks, cats in trees, etc.

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In 2020 we recorded 10,850 hours on Brigade activities:  

- 1335 hours at incidents.

- 614 hours spent on training.

- 8901 hours spent at meetings, fund raising, maintenance, etc.  

 

Our annual fundraiser, the Harvest Sale & Auction in late September each year,  was cancelled for the first time since 1961. In it's place we joined the NS Firefighters 50/50 Jackpot draw, held each Thursday. It has been a successful fundraiser for us in 2020 and we appreciate your support!!