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Unnecessary alarms concerns fire chief
Mac Olsen
for South Peace News
The High Prairie Fire Department wasn’t as busy in November 2009 as it normally is, says fire chief Ken Melnyk.
“Fortunately, most of the (November) calls were small calls,” says Melnyk.
The department received six calls, five in High Prairie and one for a motor vehicle collision, for 46 man hours accrued. But there were 14 calls for service in December 2009, including six in High Prairie and one in the M.D. of Big Lakes, as well as seven motor vehicle incidents, for a total of 155.5 man hours accrued.
But the increasing number of false alarms concerns Melnyk, as they unnecessarily take the volunteer firefighters away from work and family commitments.
“The employer, unfortunately, suffers the most because of the loss of productivity when their workers are called to false alarms, whether they occur during the day or night,” he says.
There have been more false alarms from businesses than residences. But residential false alarms are increasing, due to more alarm systems being installed.
Melnyk is asking all building owners with alarm systems to get them checked and maintained regularly, to reduce the chance of firefighters going out unnecessarily.
The firefighters are always training and four are expected to receive their NFPA 1010 certification in the near future.
The department always needs volunteers and for more information, please call 780-523-3525, or go to their website at www.hpfd.ca.
Calls for assistance
Some calls for November 2009 were:
* Nov. 1, 2009, a structural fire call; fire started in a garbage can by patient smoking in a room and throwing butt into the can, but only a lot of smoke resulted, no threat of fire; eight firefighters responded and six were on standby, for 14 man hours accrued.
* Nov. 2, 2009, an alarm call at a residence, but it was a false alarm, as the homeowner forgot security code; four firefighters responded, for four man hours accrued.
* Nov. 12, 2009, alarm call at High Prairie Health Complex, but it was an alarm malfunction; five firefighters responded, for 2.5 man hours accrued.
* Nov. 12, 2009, pedestrian hit by minivan; seven firefighters responded, for seven man hours accrued.
* Nov. 26, 2009, motor vehicle fire by the Plains Marketing gas plant; pickup truck caught fire and plastic fuel tank melted and the fire also spread to the ditch; seven firefighters responded and three on standby, for 15 man hours accrued.
The department accrued a total of 46 man hours during November 2009.
Some calls for December 2009 were:
* Dec. 1, 2009, alarm call at High Prairie Health Complex; four firefighters responded, two man hours accrued.
* Dec. 2, 2009, motor vehicle collision at 4934 57 Ave.; vehicle lost control on icy back lane, lost control and hit power pole; seven firefighters responded, for two man hours accrued.
* Dec. 4, 2009, motor vehicle collision by Enilda; a two-vehicle crash, traffic was detoured through Enilda; six firefighters responded and two on standby, for 12 man hours accrued.
* Dec. 6, 2009, alarm call at High Prairie Inn; six firefighters responded, for three man hours accrued.
* Dec. 14, 2009, truck rear-ended minivan near Big Lakes Dodge; six firefighters responded, for six man hours accrued.
* Dec. 20, 2009, motor vehicle collision on Highway 2 and the Grouard turnoff; a vehicle hit a moose and the patient was transported by STARS air ambulance; seven firefighters responded and two on standby, for 13.5 man hours accrued.
* Dec. 24, 2009, motor vehicle collision by the Plains Marketing gas plant; car rear-ended a tanker truck, but driver did not know he was hit and continued until he crossed the train tracks, passenger extricated and transported by STARS air ambulance to Grande Prairie; eight firefighters responded and three on standby, for 22 man hours accrued.
* Dec. 24, 2009, vehicle hits two pedestrians near Fields store; eight firefighters responded and six on standby, for 21 man hours accrued.
* Dec. 31, 2009, motor vehicle collision 20 km north of Atikameg; driver rolled vehicle and came to a stop on wheels, they started vehicle and drove onto road, but could not get out; six firefighters responded and two were on standby, for 32 man hours accrued.
The department accrued a total of 155.5 man hours during December 2009.
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