East Sooke Fire Commission renews lease with JDF Search and Rescue

Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue's renewal of a lease with the East Sooke Fire Commission serves the community well, says fire commission chair Falk Wagenbach. "I think we have the perfect partner," Wagenbach said. "We're both in emergency services, and we do two or three rescues a year together on average, usually for a hiker in East Sooke Park who's become disoriented or injured." The agreement means the team will lease space on the upper floor of the community hall in East Sooke for another five years; a similar arrangement had covered the past seven years. Senior member Sue Strugnell, a six-year veteran who serves on many specialty teams, said the relationship gives stability to the community hall and to the team's place of residence. The article records about 45 members, all volunteers, and 41 calls in 2022, and Strugnell's public-safety message that there is no charge for rescue in British Columbia and that people should call immediately: "The sooner, the better. It makes our job less hazardous, especially during daylight hours."