139 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

'We'll always keep reopening': Magic mushroom stores defiant amid attacks, police raids

'As long as we are doing it properly and we’re educating people, you know, this is a medical store. It’s medicinal,' says shop manager in downtown Barrie


https://www.barrieto...-raids-10947911

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 23 September 2025 - 09:19 AM.

[Mike K.]

Psychedelics are now being used in therapy for mild ADD and even mild anxiety. It’s super common, and called micro-dosing. I have friends who have or are doing it, and they’re using mushrooms during working hours. It was or still is a fad in Silicon Valley.

[lanforod]

That's a terrible idea. 

[Victoria Watcher]

It’s not right.

[Mike K.]

Sometimes they trip. And it goes horribly wrong.

I think more people need to get outside and touch grass. We agonize over people’s perceptions of us, but in reality, nobody cares about anybody else’s quirks or shortcomings. We all have way too much to think about.

[Victoria Watcher]

Multiple firefighters allege dysfunctional leadership in North Saanich

 

https://cheknews.ca/...aanich-1284036/

[Kilo95]

A group of firefighters from North Saanich Fire Department has sounded the alarm over a mass exodus, citing a toxic work culture and concerns about management decisions that they think could cost taxpayers.

The paid-on-call (POC) firefighters at the station became the first on-call group in B.C. to unionize with International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) on May 29, citing ongoing issues with management practices. However, since then, more firefighters have resigned, now tallying 13 who have left since Chief John Trelford went on leave in April 2024 for personal reasons.

Seven of those who have left cited issues with new management as the reason for their departure.




https://www.vicnews....artment-8185252

 

 

Multiple firefighters allege dysfunctional leadership in North Saanich

 

https://cheknews.ca/...aanich-1284036/

 

 

Wonder why the same story got rehashed on CHEK 2 months later? The Vicnews article link no longer appears valid.. 

[Victoria Watcher]

Three leaders within the North Saanich Fire Department have left, which comes weeks after multiple former and current firefighters raised allegations against the department, CHEK News has learned.

 

Sources at the fire department have confirmed to CHEK News that interim Fire Chief Steve Sorenson resigned via email to other firefighters on Wednesday, and his last day was on Thursday. They also say no reason was given.

 

The sources also tell CHEK News that a deputy chief and captain have been on leave since last week, with no explanation given.

 

CHEK News contacted the District of North Saanich, which said that it was working to ensure “continuity during this transition period.”

 

“The Council remains committed to transparency and acknowledges recent developments within the Fire Department. Due to the confidential nature of personnel matters and to respect the privacy of all involved, no further details can be shared at this moment,” said the district in an emailed statement.

 

“We understand the community’s interest in leadership updates and are actively working to ensure continuity during this transition period.”

 

It’s unclear who will lead the department following Sorenson’s departure.

 

This latest development comes weeks after multiple current and former North Saanich Firefighters told CHEK News the department was seeing waves of departures.

 

 

https://cheknews.ca/...issues-1289333/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 13 November 2025 - 10:12 PM.

[Mike K.]

Any insight into what’s happening?

[Victoria Watcher]

The District of North Saanich has appointed John Robertson as interim fire chief and Mike Burgess as fire services advisor, filling key leadership gaps as the fire department continues to face recent departures and ongoing concerns raised by current and former members.

 

On Nov. 13, CHEK News reported that three leaders within the North Saanich Fire Department had left, which comes weeks after multiple former and current firefighters raised allegations against the department.

 

[...]

 

The sources also tell CHEK News that a deputy chief and captain have been on leave since last week, with no explanation given.

 

Firefighters say they experienced instances of bullying, harassment, and dysfunctional leadership, which they say led to more than a dozen firefighters leaving the department since last year.

 

 

 

 

Otherwise healthy adult men should not be "on leave".  Work it out or quit.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 15 November 2025 - 10:17 AM.

[LJ]

Huge fire in Hong Kong today, several high rises in very close proximity under remediation caught fire. Exacerbated by the use of bamboo scaffolding which helped to spread the fire from building to building.

 

Maybe time to switch to steel scaffolding and put your buildings further apart.

 

Hundreds will be dead from this cataclysm.

[Victoria Watcher]

After nearly 20 years in the role as Metchosin’s fire chief, Stephanie Dunlop has resigned.

Dunlop confirmed Thursday morning (Jan. 15) with Goldstream Gazette that she would be stepping away from the role.

The reason for her departure is currently unknown.

Read more at: https://vicnews.com/...igns-from-role/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 15 January 2026 - 12:23 PM.

[Matt R.]

Our new #1 firehall is well underway, on time and on budget from what I read. Now the fire department has a new-to-them 75 ladder truck, a 2010 unit Saanich was selling bought at auction for $326k - full pop covered by an anonymous donation from a private foundation.

“NEWS BRIEF

Salt Spring Island Fire Rescue (BC) (SSIFR) has acquired a 75' ladder truck. SSIFR paid $326,350 at an auction last week for Saanich (BC) Old Ladder 3, a 2010 Spartan Gladiator Classic GA41M-3164 MFD 10" RR tandem / Smeal aerial (1508/500/50A/75' rear-mount ladder). Even better news for SSIFR is that the entire cost of the purchase will be covered by an anonymous donor - a private foundation. The new quint is expected to join the SSIFR fleet in May 2026.

Photo credit: via SSIFR.”

[Kilo95]

Saanich takes good care of their equipment. Salt Spring picked up one of their old pickup Medic truck's last year too

[Matt R.]

I have already heard a rumour that the donor was someone with a vested interest in being able to build higher.

[Mike K.]

Makes sense!

[Matt R.]

Does it? With modern fire codes, surely we don’t need a ladder truck capable of reaching higher floors.

[Victoria Watcher]

View Royal’s fire chief has announced his retirement after more than 40 years with the municipality’s fire department.

 

When Paul Hurst officially retires Oct. 1, it will bring to an end a career that began with him helping out around the fire hall at the age of 12, when his father, George, was a volunteer captain.

 

A successor hasn’t yet been named.

 

Victoria Fire Chief Dan Atkinson described Hurst as “the quintessential, no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is fire chief.”

 

“I remember when I was new to the role, Paul’s straightforward, head-on approach to doing business was a little intimidating at first, but as I got to know him, it became clear that no one loved serving their community more than he did,” Atkinson said.

 

He said that Hurst will be leaving “some pretty big boots to fill.”

 

Hurst, who turns 58 at the end of the month, signed on as a volunteer firefighter at 16, then became a career member three years later in 1988. He was appointed chief in 2006.

 

He said that after 42 years, the time has come “to sleep in and turn my phone off.”

 

 

https://www.timescol...rtment-12045650

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 23 March 2026 - 09:05 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

After reporting high levels of burnout, and compassion fatigue, Victoria firefighters will now be responding to fewer calls, allowing more time to decompress before their next call.

The Victoria Fire Department (VFD) prides itself on responding quickly and saving lives.

But many of the calls are unrelated to fires, and instead include a high number of medical aid emergencies due to the opioid crisis.

______________________

In 2024, the Victoria Fire Department responded to more than 14,000 calls for service.

______________________

“The call volume is trending exactly where we anticipated it to. At the end of last year we were right around the 12,000 call mark. We expect that we will finish this year somewhere between 6,000, and 6,500 calls. Which is more on track with what we feel is appropriate level for a department of our size, and our responsibility in the City of Victoria,” Atkinson said.

Atkinson says responders now have more time for inspections, public education and outreach, community risk reduction, and training for technical events such as rope rescues, and motor vehicle accidents.

Atkinson said people in the department were experiencing burnout, and compassion fatigue. With fewer calls to have to respond to, they now have more time to decompress, and focus on their mental health. So they are ready to go out for the next call.

 

https://cheknews.ca/...rtment-1324303/

 

Atkinson said people in the department were experiencing burnout, and compassion fatigue

 

 

 

ie. what is the point of going out to give narcan to the same individual several times per day, or week or month or whatever.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 14 May 2026 - 04:15 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Four Greater Victoria municipalities join forces to recruit firefighters

Fire chiefs say the joint recruitment drive by Victoria, Saanich, Oak Bay and Esquimalt will make it easier for the departments, and the applicants.


https://www.timescol...ghters-12336814


Individually, the departments do not have a large annual turnover of personnel — the two largest, Victoria and Saanich, estimate it averages out to about five people per year — but with all four, there could be as many as 15 openings this year.

The departments will have no trouble filling them. Saanich, which has 108 firefighters, issued a call for recruits last year that resulted in more than 200 applications.

Both Atkinson and Kaye expect that number could hit 300 with all four departments involved.










Seems like a non-story.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 28 May 2026 - 10:11 AM.