Photo: Burnaby Fire Department

Burnaby firefighters arrived home safe early this morning (Sept. 15) after a week spent helping victims of Hurricane Dorian.

Burnaby firefighters were among the first Canadians on the ground in the Bahamas helping communities devastated by Hurricane Dorian.

A 13-member team, including 11 firefighters and four recovery dogs left Burnaby arrived in the Caribbean island nation on Sept. 8.

Hurricane Dorian first made landfall in the Bahamas on Sept. 1 and stalled over the northern part of the region until Sept. 3, tearing communities to shreds with winds of up to 295 km/hr.

The Burnaby crew located three Canadians reported missing. The Canadian consulate in Nassau contacted the team asking for help locating the missing Canadians, who had last been known to be on Great Abaco, a hard-hit northern island where the volunteers are working.

The volunteers’ efforts have inspired gratitude from the Canadian government.

“We thank you for your assistance, and your efforts are deeply appreciated,” stated an email to the team from Global Affairs Canada.