If you're lucky enough to live on Tancook…you're lucky enough
As part of a project funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Seniors under the Age-friendly Communities grant we recently conducted a health needs survey of full-time Tancook residents. To read the results of the survey please click on the link below:
Several months ago, the Nova Scotia Department of Seniors announced their Age-friendly Communities Grant program. We submitted an application to this program through BTIERA and have just been informed that our application was successful. As a result we have been awarded a grant to accomplish the following four goals:
Thanks to everyone who attended the BTIERA Fall Dinner. It seemed to be a successful one and we don’t think anyone went away hungry. CONGRATULATIONS to the winners of the ticket draw: Verta’s hooked mat – Tony Hirtle, Hetty‘s painted chair – Corey Spidle, Adirondack chairs – Robert Graham, Comforter – Laura Lea Baker and Car care kit – Jacqueline Edwards. A big thanks to everyone who helped in any way — preparing and donating food and prizes, helping to set up and clean up, and lending a hand at the dinner. Photo credit: Susan van Gurp
I would like to donate another painted chair and hooked chair pad for the upcoming BTIERA fundraising dinner on Oct 1 but I need a chair. If you have an old wooden chair (in good condition) that you wish to donate please send an email to tancooknews@gmail.com or phone 902-476-2960.
Thank you, Hetty
BTIERA has two divisions — the Medical First Response team (MFR) and the Defensive Fire Service (DFS). DFS receives funds from the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg through fire taxes paid by property owners and grants. The MFR division relies on fundraising and donations.
In case of emergency, transportation is by ferry or by LifeFlight. Our LifeFlight field is above the Recreation Centre, surrounded by marking cones. BTIERA kindly requests that people avoid driving on this field to keep it clear and clean. 
Twice a year, BTIERA holds a bottle drive to raise funds. If you have recyclables to donate, let us know so we can pick them up during the bottle drive. Alternatively, you may drop them off yourself anytime at the Recycling Depot building, located beside Patsy Nettles’ home (722 Big Tancook Island Road).
The DFS fire siren is tested on the second Tuesday evening of each month that a regular monthly meeting is held, usually around 6:30pm. 
Big Tancook Island Emergency Response Association (BTIERA) is a non-profit, volunteer organization started in 1998 on Tancook Island to provide emergency medical care and covered transportation, whether it is via the Tancook ferry or to the Lifeflight landing zone on the island.
BTIERA was started by Julia Stick when her mother, a new resident, needed to get off the island for emergency medical care and was transported to the ferry on the back of the local garbage truck. Feeling the need for a proper transporting vehicle, Julia spearheaded the group that would eventually acquire a decommissioned ambulance and train volunteers as medical first responders and others in First Aid. When the province’s 911 service came into effect, BTIERA became part of the system, responding to calls coming from the island.
