A visitor to our island stopped into the Fire Hall today as I was about to go home after a call out. He had found a Military Location Marker or MLM on the beach at Tribune Bay. Knowing that it was a dangerous item and that it could seriously harm a child he put it into the back of his truck and brought it to the Fire Hall.
The Canadian Forces take these markers very seriously. They have a team of people at CFB Comox who’s job is to pick these things up and properly dispose of them. I called them to say that we had one and before I made it home they had called back and arranged to come to Hornby in their boat and pick it up.
MLMs contain an intensely burning chemical and are used mostly in search and rescue operations. Occasionally they fail to completely burn up and can re-ignite. In fact, when we dumped it out to take a photo of it, a blob of phosphorous fell out and ignited on the concrete apron.
If you find one washed up on the shore be very careful of it. It is not a good idea to pick it up as it may dump some burning chemical on you or in your car. Mark it or flag it and call one of:
- the Fire Department at 335.2611
- the Duty Officer who’s phone number is at the side of this web page
- Joint Rescue Coordination Center at 1-800-567-5111
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