Don’t be alarmed if you see a man running around Elk Lake or downtown in a snowboard suit and toque carrying 20 pounds of kitty litter on his back.
Brett Clarke is training for a special Times Colonist 10K race on April 26. The Willis Point volunteer firefighter will run the entire route wearing 50 pounds of firefighting gear, including a 21-pound oxygen cylinder on his back. “I do get some funny looks, but I wanted to replicate the weight I’ll be carrying on run day,” said Clarke, 30. “I hope it’s a cool day.”
Clarke decided to run the TC 10K in his firefighting gear to raise awareness and funds for his rural volunteer fire department. He has started a GoFundMe.com website, with a goal of raising $5,000 to get at least five lightweight composite air cylinders. They weigh about half what the firefighters use at a fire or incident in which they might need air.
“If you can save 10 pounds on your back at the front line, that’s huge. The physical exertion of carrying gear makes a difference,” Clarke said, noting that volunteer firefighters might have to rush to an incident after a long day at work. “We’re not in a hall exercising and getting in really good shape like other firefighters. … Guys like me are sitting behind a desk nine to five.”
Clarke, who is financial manager and part-owner with his family of the Tru Value Foods grocery chain, said it can be difficult for small volunteer departments to update their gear. Budgets usually get eaten up maintaining major equipment like trucks, he said.
The Willis Point fire department is one of nearly 100 volunteer fire departments on the Island. Clarke said there are 25 members who meet weekly for training and are on call. They range in age from their 20s to 50s and include women, men and retired professional firefighters.
Clarke said he moved to the Saanich Peninsula community a few years ago and is in his second year as a volunteer firefighter.
“There was a need for spry young men and women, and anyone really,” he said. “I grew up on Prospect Lake, so I have an affinity for small communities.”
While he has yet to attend a big fire, Clarke said the amount of medical calls the department responds to has shown him the need for first responders in the area. “The nearest ambulance is half an hour away, so it’s important we’re here,” he said, noting neighbouring volunteer departments also help each other out.
Clarke’s TC 10K fundraising website is gofundme.com/qby3zw.
The 26th annual TC 10K run and walk raises funds and awareness for official and non-official charities each year. More than 11,000 participants are expected to attend, including elite athletes, community teams and children. For more information, go to tc10k.ca.
