Larry Knutsen has always looked for different ways to get involved with his local community.
A longtime member of the 108 Mile Ranch Volunteer Fire Department, Knutsen, 77, has been living and volunteering in the South Cariboo since 1986. Knutsen said his volunteerism comes from a desire to give back to his community.
"Isn't that what you're here for, to be a part of your community? So many people drive to work, drive home and that's all there is. Unless you get involved with the community, you don't get to know it," Knutsen said.
In Williams Lake, Knutsen was involved with Central Cariboo Search and Rescue, where he got his first taste of emergency response work. When he moved down to the 108 Mile Ranch in 1986 to work for Sunrise Ford, he planned to join South Cariboo Search and Rescue. At the time, however, SCSAR wasn't fully up and running, so he was advised to join the 108 Mile VFD instead.
In 1987, Knutsen officially joined the fire hall alongside his longtime friend Terry Capnerhurst, who is also still a member of the hall almost 40 years later. He noted he joined on the recommendation of Frank Hildebrandt, the former owner of Krankys Garage, and he is glad he listened to him.
Starting out, Knutsen had no experience in firefighting, so initially he was trained by being partnered with more experienced firefighters so he could observe what they were doing.
"You're beside the fire truck because you don't know anybody and you're looking at all the gauges and everything thinking to yourself, what have I done?" Knutsen recalled with a chuckle. "It's like anything, you learn over time. The old adage comes back to you, if you don't use it, you do lose it, and that's a guaranteed thing."
When Knutsen joined the 108 Mile VFD had three fire trucks, compared to the five it now boasts. Over the years, he noted that the majority of the calls they respond to have shifted away from fires or road incidents to various medical calls, due to the aging population of the community. Knutsen did add, however, that motor vehicle incidents are the second-highest number of calls they receive.
"After that, it's burning complaints and touching a whole lot of wood, but we haven't had a structure fire in over a year," Knutsen said.
Being on the firehall, Knutsen said that you become close to your fellow firefighters, noting many become like family. In all his years at the hall, he only ever had serious problems with one fellow firefighter.
"It's a place to meet people and have another family," Knutsen remarked.
Over the years, Knutsen and Capnerhurst have seen seven different fire chiefs come and go. Knutsen said he did run to become fire chief one year back when the 108 VFD voted for their chief, but was elected assistant chief instead. After getting a chance to look behind the scenes, he decided being chief wasn't for him.
"They do a lot of paperwork, especially more so today. When we joined, everything was hands-on and that is an excellent way to learn. You're there, you're watching it, they tell you to do it. You make a mistake, they show you right now. Now it is hands-on, but not as severe as it used to be because we have training manuals now they've brought in."
These days, Knutsen largely handles lighter duties at the hall due to age and changing training practices. Knutsen noted he keeps the hall clean for the other members and will communicate with the radio dispatcher on behalf of the other firefighters during an incident, in addition to joining them for weekly training.
"I'm still involved, I got my fingers still in the pie, so to speak, and quite happy about it," Knutsen said. "Even though I'm not allowed to go, I show up at the fire hall because if they need any equipment brought to the fire scene, I hop in one of the firetrucks and bring them. You can't go out, but you can still do lots."
Outside of the fire hall, Knutsen has dabbled in a few other community groups. He was a director with the 108 Mile Ranch Community Association for several years and a treasurer and trustee for the 100 Mile United Church. While on paper he is still a trustee for the United Church, he noted wryly that others have taken the lead in recent years.
"I was with the 108 RCA as a director. For a short time there, I was involved with the maintenance side of the 108 Mile Community Centre," Knutsen said. "I was treasurer at the church for 10 years."
Knutsen said both he and Capnerhurst intend to stay on at the 108 Mile VFD until they reach their 40th anniversary at the hall, so long as they're able. Earlier this year, both men were recognized for their dedication with King Charles III Coronation Medals on May 14.
"I'm not ready to retire at the fire hall yet after 38 years. I'm lucky enough to stay there," Knutsen remarked. "Terry and I are both trying for 40. It's up to the chief whether ot not he's happy with what I'm doing right now."
In the meantime, Knutsen encourages anyone with an interest in firefighting or who would like to give back to the community to consider joining the fire hall. The 108 Mile VFD practices every Wednesday at the hall and can be contacted at 250-791-5715.
