Fire department needs more volunteers

Firefighters participated in three tabletop exercises at the High Prairie fire hall Jan. 19, including one on how to handle a train derailment. Left-right are firefighter Wayne Smith, Lieut. David Vanderwell, firefighter/medic Greg Simon, firefighter Michael Caron and Capt. Lynne Pardell.

Mac Olsen
South Peace News

Those who volunteer with the High Prairie Fire Department come from all walks of life, from teachers to tradespeople to business professionals, but the department needs more volunteers. Deputy fire chief John McDermott says the department has 24 volunteers, with room for 12 more. He says there is no cost to the trainee and highlights the importance of serving. “We’re in a perfect position to help those in the time of their greatest need,” says McDermott. “Take the emergency services part out of it and we’re also in a really great position to do great things with the community.” Trainees enrol in an initial six-month probationary period, during which they complete the FFTS-1200 Series of training. They are taught the fundamentals, such as communications, hazard assessment on scene and firefighting techniques. They also attend practice sessions on the first and third Monday of each month, with additional weekend training and activities. A trainee can spend 30-40 hours in a course, with the 12 levels of training in each. During the Jan. 19 session at the department, the trainees completed three tabletop exercises. In one, depicting a train derailment with a leaking canola tanker, they had to take into account things like the weather conditions, access routes for emergency vehicles to get to the scene and contact the railway to get information about the tanker’s contents. “The goal of these scenarios is to identify resources and properly employ them,” says McDermott. “We also ensure our firefighters have safety at the forefront of their minds in these operational settings.” Upon successful completion, they receive the Standard 1001 certification from the National Fire Protection Association. Currently, four members of the department have attained the designation, with more working toward the goal. Firefighters can then take more advanced training such as driving and operating the fire truck, as well as filling a junior or senior fire officer’s role. Dave Paddon is eager to become a fully- fledged member of the department. He has completed the minimum 50 hours of training and his six-month probationary period ends in March. Paddon, who is also a member of the Enilda Fire Department, is able to serve on both departments because he works in High Prairie. McDermott encouraged him to join the department. “We always need more members in every volunteer fire department, no matter where they are,” says Paddon. “I’m trying to help out in my communities, to serve. A lot of people might want to help, but don’t know how to get involved.” Paddon adds the training for each department is similar, but with a slightly different emphasis in certain areas. He is looking for every opportunity for additional training, such as the Jaws of Life used for extricating occupants of a motor vehicle collision. “I want to help out as much as possible.” Paddon likes the camaraderie and teamwork in firefighting, as well as the sense of family. Each member depends on others for their well-being and success. When not training or responding to fires, firefighters attend or host civic functions. For example, they hold the Emergency Services Ball every spring and the FireChase each fall. For more information or to apply, please contact the duty officer on call at 780-536-6028 or go to www.hpfd.ca and click “recruiting” to print the application.

Copyright © 1999-2005 South Peace News. All Rights Reserved.
No part may be reproduced without written permission.

View our Privacy Statement.
Send website suggestions to the Webmaster