Bruce Steele has been a devoted volunteer since 1994 with the Emergency Program on Bowen Island as well as within the North Shore Emergency Management Program (NSEM).
Bruce stepped in to re-start the Bowen Emergency Support Services (ESS) and the NERP program in 2016. Carolyn McDonald, now the ESS Director and Bruce trained in Victoria together through Emergency Management BC (now Emergency Management & Climate Readiness, EMCR). Bruce has remained involved with ESS as a deputy director however his focus went towards Emergency Operations Centres (EOC)training for larger regional deployment capabilities and Emergency Communications for both teams he participated with.
He has been the key player in setting up both Fire Hall’s regional and long-distance radio communication systems. These communications systems keep us in touch with the Provincial Emergency Operations Centres if our critical infrastructure is damaged.
He has deployed to ESS Reception Centre activations within the region on behalf of Bowen and the NSEM team and also taken part in large multiple regional emergency exercises, in a wide variety of roles, gaining valuable experience along the way.
In addition, Bruce has a keen interest in psychosocial first aid and has continued studies in this area.
Bruce will remain on our emergency call list but has stepped down from his lead role’s. The Emergency Program will miss his steady presence, however it’s time for someone else to step in and provide their time and dedication for a rewarding volunteer career.
If you would like to explore and possibly volunteer for any of the many ways to serve your community and possibly deploy to others when a crisis strikes, please contact ttaylor@bimbc.ca.