In the case of fire or injury you can alert fellow islanders by 3 long blasts with an air horn. Emergency resources are listed below (sidebar).
Fire
By far the biggest risk is fire during the summer season. In August the island becomes a tinder box and is so dry that grass would burn and advance at speeds up ten km/hr depending on winds. The inner part of the island is covered with old growth trees and the forest can erupt in moments into a fire storm.
We have several signs across the island to indicate the severity of fire risk. Any time the risk is “high” or “extreme” no fires are allowed on the island, not even on beaches.
Many houses have their own fire pumps and fire extinguishers distributed throughout the houses. Fires escalate quickly, often within minutes. All fire pumps must be serviced yearly to make sure they can start readily. This includes assuring fresh gas or Aspen gas is in the tank. Some pumps must also be primed and a jug of water next to the pump can save precious time to get them started.
With the help of a municipal grant Passage Island obtained 5 heavy duty commercial fire pumps that are able to pump sea water accessed by fire hoses fed from the ocean. They are located at strategic points across the island (see map on this page).
Emergency contacts
Emergency
Coast Guard . . …………………………..*16 on Cellular Phone
Forest Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 911 or *5555 on Cellular Phone
“RISK OF INTERPHASE FIRE”
are the words to say to get a water bomber .
Ambulance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 911
The address for pick up is:
Thunderbird Marina
5776 Marine Drive West Vancouver
Day Ph: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (604) 921-7457
Night Ph: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ………..(604) 833-6799 (Watchman’s Cell)
Metro Vanc . 24/7 Fire/Safety: …………(604) 451-6610
Vancouver Outboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . …… (604) 921-9527 boat service
C-Tow Marine Assistance-24hrs . . . . . 1-(888) 419-2869
Mercury Launch & Tug . . . . . . . . . . . . . …(604) 921-7451
Tug & Barge – Sewell’s Marina . . . . . . …(604) 921-3474 Thunderbird Marina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . … (604) 921-7434
Click on images to enlarge
Passage Island 