The Sooke Fire Rescue Department (SFRD) will begin 24 hour, seven days-a-week service on 24 May 2023.
 
The expanded service level is introduced to meet the needs of a growing community and is a recommendation in the District's Fire Master Plan (2022).
 
The 24/7 service means that at least two full-time firefighters will be on shift at fire station one on Otter Point Road 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
 
The team will be supplemented by paid-on-call firefighters for emergency incidents with support from our mutual aid partners should an incident require further assistance.
 
Resources to enhance community safety have also been a key theme from community feedback through the annual citizen budget survey, keep an eye out for this year's survey available from mid-June to mid-July each year.
 
Fire services respond to approximately 1,000 calls each year.
 
The type of calls vary, including medical emergencies, motor vehicle incidents, structure fires, and rope rescues.
 
The SFRD was founded in 1913 as an improvement district and became a municipal fire department when the District of Sooke was incorporated in 1999.
 
It currently provides fire, rescue, and medical response to the District, protecting land and improvements assessed at more than $3.3 billion.
 
Author unknown.