Comox Firefighters Donate Another Life-Saving AE

Comox, BC – The Comox Firefighters Association has donated another Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to support public safety in the Comox Valley. The latest recipient is the Courtenay Legion. Pictured in the attached photo is Courtenay Legion member Rollie Rowland, accepting the AED on behalf of the organization.

“It’s encouraging to see more public access AEDs becoming available throughout the community,” said Comox Fire Chief Gord Schreiner. “I’m extremely proud of our firefighters and their continued commitment to this life-saving initiative. To date, we’ve helped place over 60 AEDs in public spaces. This represents more than $85,000 in funding—entirely from non-tax sources—over the past decade.”

Public access AEDs are simple to use, require minimal maintenance, and most importantly, save lives. Each unit costs approximately $2,000. In addition to donating AEDs, the Comox Firefighters Association also offers CPR and AED training to members of the community.

The association receives numerous requests annually and carefully evaluates each one to determine where they can have the most impact. Their goal is to add three to four new AEDs across the region each year.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) can happen without warning—at work, at community events, or in public places. Survival rates are typically under 10%, but studies show that when CPR and AEDs are administered within five minutes, survival rates can jump to 30–50%. This is why communities nationwide are implementing Public Access Defibrillation programs that combine widespread AED placement with public training.

Comox Fire Rescue understands the importance of AEDs firsthand. Every emergency vehicle in the department is equipped with an AED, and a unit is also installed at the fire station.

For more information or to inquire about AED support, please contact Comox Fire Rescue at firehall@comox.ca or call 250-339-2432.

Meet our Members: Recruit David Schostek

This week on "Meet our Members", we interview Recruit David Schostek

Was there a specific event that first interested you in becoming a firefighter?

As long as I can remember, becoming a firefighter is something that interested me. For me, it represents challenge. Challenge of learning something new, something uncomfortable, and something that can help others. It also represents community. It’s about supporting public safety, it’s about making connections in the community, it’s about being a bigger part of the place I love and call home.

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Tell us about your family.

My parents immigrated to Canada from Germany when I was quite young. My family set up shop in Calgary, where I spent most of my youth growing up. All my immediate family remain there, while one of my brothers followed me to the Island several years ago and set up in Sooke with his wife and twin children.

I met my wife in 2017 while I was living in Victoria. She was living and working in Nanaimo and we dated “long” distance for just over 2 years before moving in together in Langford. Not long after that she found a job opportunity in the Comox Valley – somewhere we knew little about but jumped on the chance to move here in 2021.

Since then, we’ve added a cat (Binx) and a dog (Sage) to the family and are starting to feel settled in the Valley.

What is your regular “Day Job”?

My day job is as Manager of Corporate Priorities and Submissions in the BC Government. I work in the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. My role is to manage the development of what we call Cabinet and Treasury Board Submissions. These are lengthy and complex documents that we put forward for Cabinet (elected representatives in the BC Government) and Treasury Board (a group among Cabinet that has responsibility for fiscal management of the BC Government) consideration.

A submission is a document that rationalizes a decision where there is no established authority, such as a policy-based or statutory decision. Basically, most of government operates through established authorities but when it comes to implementing new measures, services, agreements or the like, we need to seek the appropriate authorities through Cabinet and Treasury Board (when there is a fiscal implication for that decision).

Tell us about the passion in your life.

I love being outdoors. I grew up being quite active and I have always found ways to engage with the natural environment through activities. Lately it has been spearfishing and freediving in the ocean, ski touring during winters, hiking, rock climbing, and boating in the summer.

Any opportunity I have, you will almost certainly find me outside on my boat, in the ocean, on the mountains.

Tell us about the most amazing thing you have experienced so far in life.

I love being outdoors. I grew up being quite active and I have always found ways to engage with the natural environment through activities. Lately it has been spearfishing and freediving in the ocean, ski touring during winters, hiking, rock climbing, and boating in the summer.

Any opportunity I have, you will almost certainly find me outside on my boat, in the ocean, on the mountains.

Do you have any fire service goals?

I am sure I will develop some in time, but for now I am committed and eager to learning the basics and graduating from the training as a fully-fledged firefighter.

“David, we look forward to training and working together as you start your Fire Service Career. Thanks for joining our team!" says Comox Fire Rescue's Chief Gord Schreiner.

Meet our Members: Recruit Joel Bergen

This week on "Meet our Members", we interview Recruit Joel Bergen

Was there a specific event that first interested you in becoming a firefighter?

No specific event. I just kept driving by the station and seeing the 'Volunteers Needed' sign. I recently moved to Comox and I work from home. I had some extra bandwidth so I figured it would be an interesting way to get involved in the community, learn some things and meet some people.

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Tell us about your family.

I married my wife Clara in 2016. We have two beautiful children Lennix (7) and Dorian (4). We moved to Comox because we worked from home and had the privilege of choosing our community. I also have two dogs named Rocky & Gus.

What is your regular “Day Job”?

I'm self employed. My wife and I own a recruitment company. I work as a headhunter for hard to find tech and engineering roles. It's an interesting career because it keeps me learning about cutting edge technology and meeting all sorts of interesting people..

Tell us about the passion in your life.

I have a tendency to get bored easily so I love things that are new and stimulating. Travel is a huge passion of mine and I have been to 50+ countries. I love being outside and immersed in nature. I enjoy playing games and meeting new people.

Tell us about the most amazing thing you have experienced so far in life.

I have been pretty fortunate to be able to travel the world and enjoy a wide variety of experiences. I've seen many beautiful places and I've done all sorts of extreme sports like bungee jumping, sky diving, heliskiing, mountain biking. So far the most amazing thing has been starting a family and watching my kids grow from little screaming potatoes into walking, talking people!

Do you have any fire service goals?

At the moment my main goal is to learn as much as possible and be as useful to the fire service as I can be. I'm hoping to make some long lasting friends and become a force for good in the community.

“ Welcome to Comox Fire Rescue Joel." says Comox Fire Rescue's Chief Gord Schreiner. “We look forward to training and working with you as you begin your Fire Service career."

Meet our Members: Recruit Ashley Chalmers

This week on "Meet our Members", we interview Recruit Ashley Chalmers.

Was there a specific event that first interested you in becoming a firefighter?

I’ve always been drawn to roles that serve others—first in healthcare and now in real estate—but firefighting combines that passion with teamwork, physical challenge, and being there for my community in critical moments. Moving to Comox was about resetting and embracing new opportunities, and when I saw the chance to serve as a firefighter, I knew it was something I had to pursue.

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Tell us about your family.

My husband, Jordan, and I have two incredible kids, Tyson (almost 16) and Khloe (almost 13). We are a very close family and love spending time together. In July 2024, we moved to Comox from Langley (Mainland) to reset and heal after an incredibly difficult period—losing both of my parents and my mother-in-law in just ten months. My roots are in dairy farming, and family has always been at the center of my life.

What is your regular “Day Job”?

I’m a licensed real estate professional and have been selling real estate for nine years. Before that, I spent nearly a decade in the healthcare industry. Both careers have shaped my ability to connect with people, work under pressure, and adapt quickly—skills that I know will serve me well in firefighting.

Tell us about the passion in your life.

My biggest passion is my family. My husband and children are my world, and I love adventuring with them and watching them grow. Beyond that, I have a deep passion for staying active. Whether it’s running trails, playing soccer, slo-pitch, or any activity that keeps me moving, I thrive on the challenge and the energy that being physically active brings to my life. I also love to travel and experience new things! 

Tell us about the most amazing thing you have experienced so far in life.

I’ve had some incredible experiences—traveling to Europe and Australia with my grandparents for 42 days at a time in a motorhome, growing up on a dairy farm, and building a career I love. But nothing comes close to the experience of growing and giving birth to two amazing humans. There’s nothing that compares to that.

Do you have any fire service goals?

My goal is to train to the best of my ability so that I can confidently serve and protect the people in my community. I want to develop the skills, strength, and knowledge to be an asset to my team and make a real difference when it matters most.

“ Welcome to our department Ashley." says Comox Fire Rescue's Chief Gord Schreiner. “We look forward to training and working with you as you begin your Fire Service career."

Meet our Members: Recruit Noah James

This week on "Meet our Members", we interview Recruit Noah James.

Was there a specific event that first interested you in becoming a firefighter?

Not a specific reason per se but a value and desire to have an active role supporting my community. My family spans many public service roles including healthcare, military service, and even fire rescue. Comox, and the valley is my home. Joining Comox Fire Rescue was a great way to marry my values of community, physical well-being, and desire to continue lifelong learning.

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Tell us about your family.

My parents Colin and Leah live in Ontario where I was born and raised. They continue to be the motivation, support, and foundation that enables me to succeed in life. I am the oldest of four. Mark, Rebecca, and Elizabeth are my younger siblings. While my sisters are still in Ontario, Mark made the brave decision to move with me to Comox right out of high school. He has worked hard to land on his feet and may even be a future Comox Fire member one-day... My partner Megan is a Paediatrics and Maternal Health Nurse at the Comox hospital. She is my rock, cheerleader, and so much more! I could not imagine becoming a firefighter or pursuing my career goals without her. Together we have 3 cats at home, Ginny (orange), Maeve (Grey), and Finnegan. My mother in-law, Jailynn, is a huge supporter. She welcomed Megan and I home to the West Coast this summer and drove with me and the moving truck from Ontario this past summer. Family is important to me, and I look forward to servicing the Comox family.

What is your regular “Day Job”?

I have spent many years in university and simultaneously working a variety of jobs from commercial truck driving to cutting-edge medical research, to grounds keeping. Currently, I work as a legal assistant in Courtenay.

Tell us about the passion in your life.

It's hard to pick just one. I am passionate about health, learning, and food! I love to cook, bake, and of course eat! From homemade breads, cheeses, and meals to local restaurants I am passionate about good local food and sharing that experience with others. If you like homemade focaccia or pasta, I have the recipe for you!

Tell us about the most amazing thing you have experienced so far in life.

In February 2018, I was fortunate to be selected from Army Cadets across Canada for the International Expedition that year to Southern Chile. There we hiked the entirety of the ‘W’ circuit, a mulit-day alpine hiking trail where we visited the base of the Torres Del Paine; fun fact - this natural wonder is picture on the 1000 Chilean Peso note! After this multi-day trek, we paddled further south in the Patagonia region, camping and paddling by massive glaciers in pristine water. The environment was challenging but through strong teamwork we were able to appreciate this beautiful region of the world while navigating extreme-remote environments. I will never forget this experience and how beautiful our natural world can be.  

Do you have any fire service goals?

My first goal is to successfully complete my initial training. Afterwards, I hope to continue acquiring new skills to better serve our community. I aim to complete my driver training as soon as I am able, having been a truck driver in the past, I love being on the road and driving fire service vehicles would be a childhood dream come true!

“Noah, we are excited to have you join our department." says Comox Fire Rescue's Chief Gord Schreiner. “We look forward to training and working with you as you begin your Fire Service career."