Meet our Members: Firefighter Brandon Teske

This week on "Meet our Members", we interview Firefighter Brandon Teske

Was there a specific event or reason for you to be interested in becoming a firefighter?

When I was 10 years old, my brother Josh, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, had a heart attack. I witnessed first hand Firefighters from Ottawa Fire Station 72 (Who I later served with for 3 years) and paramedics respond and save his life. This inspired me to dedicate my life and career path to firefighting in hopes to help others like Josh.

Tell us a bit about your family

My family is originally from Ottawa. My father is a mechanic by trade and a master martial artist. He teaches in his free time. My mother works for the city and is passionate about helping others. My brother Josh is happily married and continues to fight muscular dystrophy every day. I live here in Comox with my beautiful spouse Rachael who is an outreach worker in the valley, and my dog Lucky.

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What is your regular “Day Job?

I work for the Canadian Armed Forces as a firefighter and I am posted at 19 Wing Comox. 

Tell us about your passion in life

My passion is to be active with my family and friends, especially outdoors. Weight lifting, running, hiking, rock climbing and martial arts are all activities that I'm passionate about. 

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

The most amazing thing I've experienced is driving across Canada with my spouse Rachael and dog Lucky. It was a wonderful experience and adventure. 

Do you have any fire service goals?

My goal is to continue working in the fire services until I retire. Then, I would like to become an instructor. Along the way I would love to work as a wildland firefighter.

“Thank you very much for joining our team Brandon.” says Comox Fire Rescue Chief, Gord Schreiner.  “We look forward to working and training with you.”

Meet our Members: Firefighter Adam Guilderson

This week on "Meet our Members", we interview Firefighter Adam Guilderson

Tell us a bit about your family.

My wife Rebecca and I have been married for nearly 3 years. I have 2 sisters and 1 brother, my parents live in Castlegar. We grew up in Campbell River so the Island has always been home. I was ecstatic to be posted to Comox. We recently got a sweet dog named Zephy, which has been great.

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

One of my earliest memories was watching my father speed off to the number 2 hall in Campbell River. He served there for 15 years. He was my inspiration for joining. Later I joined Campbell River Fire Department and Quadra Island Fire Dept. I had a fantastic time and learned so much there. I am very grateful for the time I spent there and for this opportunity to join Comox Fire Rescue.

What is your regular “Day Job?

I work on the base as a CAF Firefighter. I have fantastic friends and get great training there. Couldn’t ask for a better day job!

What is your favourite part of being at Comox Fire Rescue?

So far I am enjoying how welcoming everyone has been. I am looking forward to all the great training I will get to take part in here. The facilities are awesome, but the best part is the tight community. I also love the fact that Comox Fire Rescue does so much for the community. I am excited to be able to be part of that. 

Do you have any fire service goals? - if so what? 

I want to become better at my job every day. In the future I plan to take more Officer courses, Hazmat tech, Fire inspector etc etc. I want to continue to grow and learn and become more proficient, confident and skilled at my job. I would love to do more wildland fire with Comox too at some point. There is a lot of wisdom and experience here and I am excited to learn more from everyone. 

“Thank you very much for joining our team.” says Comox Fire Rescue Chief, Gord Schreiner.  “Adam brings some great experience and training to our department, and we look forward to working with you.”

Meet our Members: Recruit Kianna Csolle

This week on "Meet our Members", we chat with new Recruit Kianna Csolle.

Was there a specific event or reason for you to be interested in becoming a firefighter and/or join Comox Fire Rescue?

One of the members of Comox Fire Rescue helped me look for my keys that I lost while walking my dog. I mentioned I had recently moved to the area and was still looking for ways to get connected. He suggested I join Comox Fire Rescue as my experience as a paramedic would be useful.

Tell us a bit about your family.

I am the oldest of 3 kids and have a younger brother and sister. When I am with my siblings you instantly know we are related! I have an American Hairless Terrier puppy (yep that’s right, a fur baby without fur!) He is a hilarious little monster who loves to cuddle at the end of the day!

What is your regular “Day Job?

I work part-time as a Paramedic and as a Behaviour Consultant.

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Tell us about your passion in life.

I have a passion for helping others and want to make a difference in my community.

“Thank you joining our team at Comox Fire Rescue Kianna.” says Comox Fire Rescue Chief, Gord Schreiner.  “We look forward to training and working with you.”

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

Swimming in the Indian Ocean at night with bioluminescence. Every time moved it was like little green fireworks exploded in the water

Do you have any fire service goals? - if so what?

Saving a pet, and maybe one day driving a fire truck!

Meet our Members: Firefighter Mike Zgud

This week on "Meet our Members", we chat with newly joined Firefighter Mike Zgud.

Tell us a bit about your family.

We are a family of four plus a senior dog (Mango) my beautiful wife Laura and 2 daughters Indiana (9) and Tatum (6 months). We recently relocated from Pemberton to the Comox Valley.

What is your regular “Day Job?

I own and operate Comox Cell Repair, repairing cell phones and tablets. I have been in the cell phone repair industry since 2013.

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Tell us about your passion in life.

I enjoy doing a lot of outdoor activities, Mountain biking is my favourite. I also enjoy exploring the outdoors with my family, skiing, photography, paddle boarding and tinkering. 

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

Many incredible days skiing powder in Whistler, biking in Utah, surfing in Bali and solving the Rubik’s cube. 

Do you have any fire service goals?

My goal is to be a full time firefighter.  But in the meantime,  continuing training and keeping up with my certifications while gaining valuable experience.

“Thank you joining our team at Comox Fire Rescue Mike.” says Comox Fire Rescue Chief, Gord Schreiner.  “Welcome to the Comox Valley.”

Meet our Members: Recruit Tyler Dakin

This week on "Meet our Members", we interview new Recruit Ty Dakin.

Was there a specific event or reason for you to be interested in becoming a firefighter with Comox Fire Rescue?

Teamwork, hard work and dedication. Recently over the past few years I have been the first on scene to several events where an individual has needed first aid intervention. Being unable to assist to my full capacity, has led me to pursue a position with the Comox Fire Rescue. Having the ability to help someone at anytime or any situation that arises will give me a great sense of purpose in life. As well, to be a role model for my children and anyone in the community.

Tell us a bit about your family.

I am a single father of three wonderful and happy kids, who are my everything. A 13 year old son named Max, an 8 year old Daughter named Stella and an almost 6 year old daughter named Isabelle.

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What is your regular “Day Job?

For the past 12 years I have worked for a large telecommunications company in their engineering department. My team and I are responsible for maintaining and upgrading the network, fiber optic infrastructure, microwave systems and cellular transport system on and off the Island.

Tell us about your passion in life.

My main passions are my children and being able to provide them with all the tools and skills to live a happy healthy life. When I do have free time I enjoy anything that gets me outside and active. Most days I will be at the gym, mountain biking, snowboarding,hiking,trail running, golfing, fishing and many other recreational activities. 

I enjoy travelling and hope to do more in the years to follow.

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

Besides the birth of my 3 children.  I have had the opportunity to live and work overseas building sound and video systems in music venues and arenas. I have also had the opportunity to visit the Arctic on an expedition to remove an oil exploration camp. Also, one of my proudest moments was being accepted to Comox Fire Rescue, which has been a life long dream of mine.

Do you have any fire service goals? - if so what? 

Yes, to excel as a firefighter here at Comox Fire Rescue and serve the community as much as possible. I hope to make a difference in our amazing community in any shape or form. As well to be trained and ready to be deployed out to help with wildfires anywhere in our province or abroad. If life allows, I would love to be a full time firefighter one day.

“Thank you joining our team at Comox Fire Rescue Ty.” says Comox Fire Rescue Chief, Gord Schreiner.  “We look forward to working and training with you.”