GTHEazette FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION Fall/Winter 2011

An Interview With Minister

Women Can Do It!

Where is Longview? Who is on the Scene First?

Fall/Winter 2011 | 1 Dear Friends, the fire emergency in Slave Lake last spring. Your efforts clearly showed the impact our network of professionals It is great to send you a note with this second edition of can have. It was a job well done. The Gazette in its new format. We have received great reviews from both fire chiefs and advertisers. We also We are already planning the next AGM scheduled for are distributing the magazine to all fire departments June 10 through June 13 in at the Mayfield in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Inn and Convention Centre. Our golf tournament will Columbia—that is good news for advertisers. be held on June 9. Why don’t you surprise us and register early—it will make planning and organizing Please share your copy of The Gazette. We have found much easier. In any case, we want to see you there. If that very few fire personnel have seen the first edition. you are considering a resolution please contact Chief We especially thank the Edmonton and Calgary fire Randy Schroeder in Mayerthorpe. Resolutions must be departments for distributing copies to all their halls. submitted by April 10 so they can be posted on the We will be asking other large fire departments to do AFCA website by April 26, 2012. For more details about the same. If you are in a smaller department and want the AGM see the notice in this magazine or visit the more than one copy, please let us know. AFCA website.

Since our annual meeting we have been busy. As always, I would like to hear from you. If you have Unfortunately we have not received a response to ideas or suggestions about this publication or about any the three resolutions we passed and forwarded to AFCA matter just call or send me an email. government. Perhaps that will change with the new Minister of Municipal Affairs, Doug Griffiths. Bill Purdy Executive Director, Alberta Fire Chiefs Association On behalf of our association, I want to express a sincere Deputy Chief thanks and recognition to all those that responded to Wabamun Fire Department

2 | The Gazette GTHEazette ALBERTA FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION CONTENTS

The Gazette is the official publication of the Alberta 4 From the Publisher Fire Chiefs Association. The magazine is published twice a year, Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter. 5 An Interview With Minister Doug Griffiths The publication is distributed free of charge to emergency services personnel throughout Alberta, 8 Alberta Fire Chiefs Association Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. In President’s 2011 Fall Update addition, The Gazette is distributed to urban and rural municipalities, Members of the Legislative 12 Wild Rose Fire Fighter Assembly and other organizations with an interest in fire and related emergency services. 14 Women Can Do It!

Publication Mail Agreement: 40065432 18 Scenes of Convention 2011 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: 20 Where’s Longview? Rose Country Advertising & Public Relations 11904 -113 Avenue 24 Partnerships Benefit Northeast Edmonton, Alberta Alberta Region Canada T5G 3C2 30 Who is on the Scene First? Phone: 1.800.661.4278 Fax: 780.452.2890 32 The Chevron Dilemma!...”to Retrofit or Email: [email protected] Not to Retrofit?”

Publisher/Editor Brian Stecyk [email protected]

Advertising Sales Kelley Johnston [email protected]

Creative Director Margaret Horton [email protected]

Copyright 2011, RC and AFCA. All rights reserved. Cover Photo: Firefighter Danica Dach of the Edson & District Fire The contents of this publication may not be Department competing in the SCOTT FireFit Championships in Edson, Alberta. Photo courtesy of Giles Merriott. reproduced by any means in whole or in part Giles Merriott is a freelance photographer based in Alberta, Canada. For over 25 years, photography has as allowed him access to many different locations, venues, people, and without the expressed written consent of the personalities. Although he specializes in event and editorial photography, Giles always aims publisher or the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association. to capture the moment using a diverse range of photographic styles and tools. Copyright 2011 Giles Merriott. Visit: www.365photography.com

Fall/Winter 2011 | 3 From the Publisher

We have received I want to personally thank all the fire fighters we met an exceptionally over the summer. Wherever we went we were greeted positive response warmly and no one ever turned down an interview from fire chiefs and or photograph. I also enjoyed the SCOTT FireFit advertisers to our competition in Edson—there are some amazing athletes first edition of The among the men and women of the fire departments. Gazette. Most like the new format and If you have ideas about articles or would like to write the attractiveness of one, just let us know. If you don’t think you are a great the publication. The writer we can help—just ask. And remember to support magazine was sent to our advertisers because they are supporting you. all fire departments in Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Brian Stecyk

One of our challenges is to find a way for more people to read the publication. Some fire fighters said the magazine never leaves the Chief’s office. In Edmonton and Calgary the fire departments circulated numerous copies to every fire hall to ensure as many people as possible had a chance to read it. We will be contacting other large fire departments to see if they will do that too. If you want more copies just ask and we will get them to you. Please share.

4 | The Gazette An Interview with Minister Doug Griffiths By Brian Stecyk

The following interview took place on November 29, 2011 Gazette: Minister Griffiths thank you for agreeing to Minister Griffiths: The morning after the swearing- be interviewed for the fall/winter issue of The Gazette. in ceremony, I asked Premier Redford if she agreed What are your initial observations now that you have with me travelling to Slave Lake. Her response was, been appointed Minister of Municipal Affairs for “Can you leave this afternoon?” I went to Slave Lake Alberta? the next day. I wanted to see how the recovery efforts were going and to assure the people of Slave Lake that Minister Griffiths: I love it. Although I have always our commitment to them would not be changing with enjoyed being elected and working at the legislature the new Premier and Cabinet. I went back 10 days later on behalf of my constituents and Albertans, this new with Premier Redford, Fred Horne, Minister of Health responsibility gives me a challenge and opportunity and Wellness, and MLA Pearl Calahasen. to really make a difference. The merging of housing with Municipal Affairs puts a new perspective on the We met with the Tri-Council and with EMS personnel. portfolio. I, also, love having the responsibility for We toured the community and saw the rebuilding emergency services because it is something I really efforts, the interim housing and the great efforts believe in. the people of Slave Lake have undertaken to get their community back to normal. They are doing an Gazette: What was the first thing you did after being incredible job and the Alberta Government is strongly appointed Minister of Municipal Affairs? behind them.

Fall/Winter 2011 | 5 Gazette: What were your next steps? farm—help wasn’t available in minutes. We had to be prepared to take care of ourselves. Minister Griffiths: Shortly after returning from Slave Lake I toured the Provincial Operations Centre. I would like to see people understand that EMS is there Unfortunately most Albertans have never heard of the to help with things that we can’t plan for instead of Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA)—they for things we could have prepared for. If people took just assume emergency response will be available when action to prepare, we could better use resources for real they need it. emergencies.

Gazette: What are your preliminary goals relating to Gazette: When you were running for the leadership emergency services? of the Progressive Conservative Association, you often talked about cooperation. How could that be reflected Minister Griffiths: A real concern to me is how with emergency services? little Albertans do to prepare for emergencies. We have to educate them about the need to prepare as Minister Griffiths: When I met with AEMA, I was well as how to prepare. Most people take emergency surprised to learn that there is no inventory list of services for granted and do not realize they also have a emergency equipment. Apparently when there is an participatory role. emergency, the call goes out to find out what various agencies can provide. To me, it makes a lot more sense Too often provincial and local emergency service to know what is available and who to call to get it. We providers are called out to help people with need to remove barriers to inter-municipal and inter- emergencies that would not have been emergencies agency cooperation. We just don’t have the money to had the people been prepared. Things like, stored be inefficient. drinking water, warm clothes in a vehicle, a back-up plan for a power-outage, or even some candles could Gazette: One of the feature articles in this issue of go a long way to making our lives safer. The Gazette is about cooperation between industry and municipalities in Northeastern Alberta. Imperial In my own truck, I have two complete emergency Oil Resources and Canadian Natural Resources have kits. It is something I learned about growing up on a teamed up with the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority. Industry provides equipment and funds for training and the whole region benefits by having better fire equipment and better training than any one of the partners would have on their own. Another benefit is that many industry staff are volunteer fire fighters. Is this something you would encourage?

Minister Griffiths: Absolutely, it is something I really want to promote. In my constituency, we have the County of Flagstaff, the Town of Hardisty, the MD of Provost and the Hardisty Tank Farm are all working together. It is working but it could be even better. If we could have the Bonnyville model of relationships throughout Alberta we would save a lot of money for other EMS uses such as training and equipment and at the end of the day have a much stronger EMS.

Gazette: You wrote a book called, 13 Ways to Kill

6 | The Gazette From left to right: Trent West, Fire Commissioner; Bill Purdy, Executive Director, Alberta Fire Chiefs Association; Minister Doug Griffiths, Brian Cornforth, President; Al Schram, First Vice President; and Ivan Moore, ADM, Public Safety.

Your Community. You didn’t specifically talk about EMS male and that women don’t have the strength and services but you did talk a lot about volunteering. Do stamina required. Those stereotypes are just not true. you have any comments about volunteering for fire services? Women are the community builders—they are people of influence and they create the social fabric that holds Minister Griffiths: I have enough information for the community together. It is perfectly natural that at least another one or two books and fire services will women fill EMS roles. certainly be part of the next one. It is a critical issue and I am proud the government has been able to Gazette: Do you have any closing thoughts for the provide the AFCA with a grant of $50,000 to work on readers of The Gazette? recruitment and retention. People have to realize that it isn’t just about fires. These volunteers are involved Minister Griffiths: There are two main things in every aspect of emergency services—motor vehicle to work on. First we have to tear down barriers accidents, first aid, water rescue, and others. to cooperation. Turf protection wherever it is has to become a thing of the past. Whether it is Most want to be properly trained and we have to communications, equipment sharing or shared find ways to ensure that they are. A special area of personnel, to really do our jobs we have to learn to training that few think about is dealing with stress—we work as a complete team. understand post-traumatic stress and soldiers but what about the stress upon EMS personnel who deal with Second, I want to repeat that all of us have to accept death every day? Health-care professionals are trained responsibility to be prepared for emergency situations. to deal with it but most of our volunteers are not. We We can all do a lot to minimize the calls to EMS. If need to address that. we do, EMS will be able to respond more quickly and effectively to those situations that are beyond Gazette: Many volunteer fire fighters are women. our control. Money that is saved by not having to What would you say to them? respond to ‘unnecessary’ calls could be used for better equipment, more training, and more efficient service. Minister Griffiths: There are historic misconceptions that EMS personnel and particularly fire fighters are

Fall/Winter 2011 | 7 Alberta Fire Chiefs Association President’s 2011 Fall Update By Brian Cornforth

First Medical Response needs and abilities. This includes the most remote and We have been able to connect with Alberta Health rural areas and our larger urban centres, although the Services representatives who are tasked with developing size of our departments vary across the province, the the first responder program with those fire departments needs of the patient are the primary focus of any system that regularly respond to medical calls. Through a we help build. survey conducted by our association and one conducted by AHS we have developed a greater understanding of You can expect that there will be links to the dispatch the systems that are currently operating. There are some aspect as we progress through the work on the advisory departments that missed getting in the survey and panel. These links will need to be addressed at the right will need to be included in the future as the program time; however they are outside the terms of this panel. develops. We continue to monitor and report any concerns with the EMS dispatch transition using the incident reporting It was from these surveys and direction, that senior documentation. leaders with AHS developed terms of reference for a Medical First Response Advisory Panel. AFCA has been Office of the Fire Commissioner allotted four representatives on the panel to assist in We recently have received communications from Alberta the development of the first medical response system. Municipal Affairs of the restructuring of the Alberta Our contact and lead on the First Medical Responder Emergency Management Agency. A realignment of the Advisory Panel is Russ Borne out of the Calgary offices Office of the Fire Commissioner has moved the OFC of AHS. Russ has taken the time to meet with me back under direction of Assistant Deputy Minister Ivan personally to review many of the issues that have Moore who is the lead of the Public Safety Division. concerned us over the past year. We have appointed This is a very positive step towards ensuring a strong four individuals to represent our members on this panel. link to our organization and the services we provide We have confidence in that with our four appointed in our local community on a daily bases. We have members of this advisory panel our organization has a previously had solid trustworthy working relationship strong voice to address the future model of first medical with ADM Moore and are keen to rebuild the lost response. momentum quickly.

Panel members are: We asked for this restructuring back in June at the • Fire Chief Ken Block, City of Edmonton AFCA conference and it was recognized by the Minister and we are extremely pleased with the action of • Deputy Chief of Administration Glenn Bjolverud, restructuring. Now comes the work of supporting the City of Calgary Office of the Fire Commissioner, by assisting through • Fire Fighter Mike Pirie, City of Airdrie communicating the critical issues to our network of • Fire Chief Leonard Zebedee, Town of High River elected officials and the OFC. These panel members will be supported by many of you We are requesting a meeting with the new Minister of and will be committed to ensuring that we build a vital Municipal Affairs to review the issues that have been link in the pre-hospital health-care continuum. They will stalled over the past few years. I ask for your support in be accountable to ensure we have a functional model communicating these issues to your departments and for first medical response across Alberta that fits local

8 | The Gazette at local levels within your communities to your Directors 2011 Conference Resolutions Progress and City Managers. We recognize that it has been a challenge to be able to host any conversations with anyone in Government Those issues include: over the past few months due to the political climate. Fire Services Advisory Committee We have seen action on our resolution for the erosion The Fire Services Advisory Committee Report has of the Office of the Fire Commissioner since the forming been completed and has been sitting for over three of the Agency. This latest reorganizing of the Agency years. We need this report moved forward to help certainly is a positive step towards our request for a our organizations address the challenges of providing review of the focus of the AEMA structure. We will reliable vital services. This report needs to have further continue to focus on the lack of resources and support action and review to what has been done and where that needs to be restored within the OFC. the gaps are growing larger leaving Albertans at risk. We are looking for this group to continue under the On the resolution for a provincial fire services data and direction of the Minister towards developing the records management system, we have found some very required legislation to support the activities of the encouraging news. The Canadian Fire Chiefs Association fire service. has been able to secure a grant to further investigate the possibility of a national statistical reporting system Alberta Risk Protocol that has the potential to link to our direction for an In conjunction with the FSAC work we invested our Alberta system. We know that one of our challenges financial support and resources in a tool to assist when trying to identify our needs to those that govern municipalities to evaluate real risks to our communities. us is the lack of statistical data and historical trend This tool would provide a comprehensive list of risks information. By introducing a data base that tracks all and the types of response options and systems that events, personnel, training, and equipment resources would be effective in managing the identified risks. This risk evaluation tool is the foundation of how we build and operate our departments and how to effectively interact with one another. This project also remains stalled and needs to be completed so it can be used by municipalities to decide on the best way to use resources to address risks in their communities.

Fire Field Officers With the restructuring of the OFC the critical role of the field staff is now back in line with our local community needs. Their role in supporting our departments with their experience and advice must be enhanced and used to increase our capabilities. The next year is the chance - Technical Rope Rescue to build back this critical link and I encourage you to support the field staff in their roles and recognize their ability to assist in our communities. We also need to work together in our regional groups to maximize our potential training grant value and focus on offering the best training for value to all departments. Make a point to connect with your local Fire Field Officer to be updated about what’s happening in the OFC and offer your support to them.

Fall/Winter 2011 | 9 we are definitely going to be successful when it with the firm conduction the telephone marketing. comes to the conversations around how we globally contribute to the safety of Albertans and our Now comes the ask, those of you that dropped or communities well being. never held membership with CFCA please step up and help us strengthen our national organization. We We will continue to pursue the question of Alberta need to recognize the positive work being done at the provincial tax recognition of volunteer fire fighters. national level by the CFCA by supporting it with your It has been a positive success on the national front membership. I have had the privilege to sit on this that the federal tax exemption for volunteer fire board and see the inroads we have created with the fighters has been moved forward. This success has government relations committees and the incredible only been possible through the efforts of each of you network between our board and many federal supporting the Canadian Fire Chiefs Associations in their government departments. As a board we will be looking government campaign. at the possibility of a joint membership and options to enhance our provincial support for the great work CFCA Canadian Fire Chiefs Association is doing. The annual conference of the CFCA was held in Calgary in September and I noticed several of our Alberta Slave Lake Review departments attending. As the President of the AFCA, We continue to ask AEMA leaders when the Slave Lake I also serve as the Alberta representative for the CFCA post-incident review will be completed and urge that board. The CFCA board meets for one day prior to the it be soon before we lose the recall and records of conference to review the business of the CFCA and that day. We have heard that Sustainable Resources is discuss common issues facing the fire service across conducting their review but to date it appears there is Canada. We had several presentations that day but no linkage between the AEMA review they indicated perhaps the issues of fundraising through phone would be done. As the 2012 season approaches in less marketing were the most interesting. I provided a than five months we are anxiously awaiting the report passionate case to remove ourselves from this form of and looking for the learning that would be gained fundraising. There was solid support to move in this from this review. We trust that there will be plenty direction recognizing that we would be required to of discussion and information collected from those review our budget and secure a new funding source. departments and agencies that were involved in the In the end of the discussion a motion was accepted to events in Slave Lake. terminate our contract within the terms of the contract Emerging Issues Fire and Building Code In the process of submitting several code change requests thorough our representatives on the Building

Canada’s leading safety training company and Fire Technical Committees we noted a new tone from the Safety Codes Council on their opinion of the codes change process. It would appear that the new direction for the building and fire code in Alberta is to focus the code to align with the national code cycle and adopt a unified or uniform approach to code change across Canada.

This new alignment seems to be the primary focus of Manage your risk. any request submitted to the technical councils and Register for ice safety and rescue training today! has restricted what is filtered to the policy level being NFPA 1670 & 1-800-880-0287 • www.ravenrescue.com 1006 compliant

10 | The Gazette the Minister of Municipal Affairs. In order to better organizing meetings to creating dialogue with the understand this new tone we are asking that the code two municipal associations. In order to achieve this change process be reviewed and explained to our level of focus we will need to consider the expansion membership at the next annual conference. This session of hours for our Executive Director to allow the time is also to include a detailed description of the role of which is required to meet our needs. Our board will the Provincial / Territorial Policy Advisory Committee on be reviewing a strategy to bring online a full-time Codes representative who is appointed by the Minister contracted Executive Director in the next year and this of Municipal Affairs to represent Alberta position on the will be presented at our next annual general meeting in national building and fire code policy. Edmonton in 2012.

Fire Services Instructors In closing, let me say thank you to the board and the We have been noticing a decline in the available pool great members this association represents. Together we of qualified instructors to lead training programs across have created positive change that will ensure our vitality the province. Several areas are struggling at locate and strength long into the future. instructors and are unfortunately seeing gaps in their capabilities to effectively respond and ensure the safe Stay focused on the objective, Safe Communities. operations of their departments. Our board will begin Safe Alberta. to form a working group to assist in the support of the instructors group and develop immediate short- term plans as well as a long-range objective to ensure this key group is able to grow with our needs. This will include additional administrative work for our association however this is a must-be-done task and we will lead this objective.

Keeping Pace with Members Needs We have been getting plenty of positive feedback on the value of the issues the association is leading forward on such as the cancer legislation and regional issues. There are areas where the membership would like us to expend more of our time and energy through Municipality of Wood Buffalo Training Simulator Unit.

Fall/Winter 2011 | 11 Wild Rose Fire Fighter By Tom Olsen

At the memorial service for Lethbridge Deputy Fire Ted died June 26, 2011, of esophageal cancer. Chief Ted Bochan, Frank Sinatra’s classic “My Way” was played. On September 11, 2011, during a memorial at the Cenotaph in Lethbridge, Robbie placed a wreath in “That song summed him up,” said Robbie Bochan, honour of her husband and all fire fighters who died in Ted’s wife of 43 years. “Ted did it his way. He had goals the line of duty. “It was a beautiful day,” she said. and he focused on them.” The couple was married August 30, 1968. In

12 | The Gazette September, Ted started with the LFD. He always work for the province, training crews and developing had ideas for improving the department, and he methods of containing large forest fires. In 2003, he believed in improving himself. In 1983, he received his was part of a team that received the Premier’s Award of Associate Degree in Fire Science from Spokane Excellence for defending the community of Conklin Community College. from a raging wildfire.

On August 26, 1985 he was promoted By early this summer, the cancer was to Deputy Chief in charge of the taking a toll, and Ted was in constant four fire stations and supervision of pain. That didn’t stop him. On June 20 both Fire Prevention and Training he insisted on going to a fire fighters Divisions. retirement breakfast.

In 1999 he was awarded a Lifetime When they got back, Ted told his wife: Membership in the Alberta Fire “You know what? I’m tired of this.” Chiefs Association, and in 2000 he received the professional designation “He lasted another six days,” says of Chief Fire Officer (C.F.O.) from the Robbie. Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs. “That was only the twelfth such award Ted co-authored a book on the history of the given in Canada, and that made it very special Lethbridge Fire Department, and had started to him,” says Robbie. work on Volume 2. The Lethbridge Historical Society has committed to finishing it. Ted retired from the department in 2001 then went to

Fall/Winter 2011 | 13 Women Can Do It! By Brian Stecyk

Tamara Osmak,left, Angela Morris and Kari Skierka are three fire fighters that did very well at the SCOTT FireFit competition.

The hearts were pumping and the pulses racing as would have resulted in a two-second penalty. Next contestants in full protective gear including breathing using a mallet the competitors moved a steel beam in a apparatus climbed the six flights of tower stairs with a chopping simulator and a quickly ran around pylons in 42-lb hose on their shoulder. When they reached the a 140 foot run. summit, using a rope they hoisted a 45-lb donut roll of hose from the ground to the top of the platform. A fully-charged hose waited to be dragged to the Once deposited at the top of the tower, contestants nozzle zone where water was discharged onto a target raced to the ground, careful not to miss a stair which and then dropped with a closed nozzle—then onto the back-breaking event. Dragging a 165-lb mannequin in a simulated rescue, contestants headed to the finish line 100 feet away. Sweat pouring and breathing heavily they collapsed in exhaustion but happy they had completed the course.

Sound like fun? Contestants in the SCOTT FireFit Challenge in Edson certainly thought so. Fire Chief Al Schram, his fellow fire fighters including Mayor Greg Pasychny, MLA Robin Campbell and the residents of Edson welcomed competitors and visitors to the

14 | The Gazette Task 1: Task 2: Task 3: Stair Climb Hose Hoist Forcible Entry

Task 4: Task 5: Task 6: Run Hose Advance Victim Rescue

Northern Alberta Regional SCOTT FireFit Challenge. It Two of the contestants weren’t even thinking of the was a special time as Edson was also celebrating its competition last year—they weren’t even fire fighters. 100th Anniversary. Kari Skierka and Tamara Osmak both joined the Leduc Fire Department last January. Spectators watched as 96 men and women fire fighters showed just how strong and talented they were. It took Kari says, “I wanted something to do that would involve most individuals less than five minutes to complete the giving back to the community. Fire fighting is it. I have task with the men’s winner completing the entire race met a lot of great people and now with all the people course in an amazing one minute 20 seconds including in the Leduc Fire Department I have a huge family. And, a two-second penalty. Wow! Leduc is all about family.” The Leduc Fire Department motto is ‘Our Family Protecting Yours.’ The real story however comes from the women.

Fall/Winter 2011 | 15 “I was attracted to fire fighting by the challenge,’ says Deputy Chief Clancy is proud of the women in the fire Tamara. “When Kari and I first heard about the SCOTT department. He tells us that in a recent class there were FireFit Challenge we thought “we need to prove that six female recruits. “Females should never feel that the we can do what men can do. We wanted to show job of a fire fighter is out of their reach. Our recent class everyone that when it comes down to it we can be of six female fire fighters proved that they are more counted on.” than capable of doing the job. As long as you continue to be physically capable, and maintain the knowledge, At first the two new fire fighters didn’t think they could skills and, abilities that are required to be a fire fighter, it possibly have a chance as contestants. “Our Deputy should not matter whether you are male or female. The Chief, George Clancy, was our biggest motivator,” says success of Tamara and Kari at the recent SCOTT FireFit Kari. He participated in training with us and spent Championships proves they certainly can compete with hundreds of hours getting us ready. He even came in their male counterparts,” he states emphatically. on his days off to help with training—he’s the best!” Another competitor in the Edson competition, Angela Morris comes from High Level. She has been a pilot for over 16 years and works as a flight instructor in High Level. When asked whether she was intimidated by an ‘old boys club’ feeling in the fire department, she emphatically responded, “not the fire department— the flying industry—now that’s an old boys club! We’ve never had a problem attracting women to our fire department and one-fifth of our 30 members are female.”

Angela, a two-year volunteer, has advice for women thinking of volunteering on a fire department. “It is a very rewarding career. The camaraderie is great and it is like joining a second family. You can do it—just give it a try!”

“I signed up for my first SCOTT FireFit competition six years ago. My husband read about a fire fighters’ challenge in Fire Rescue magazine. I said, “Hey, I can do that, and I did. I do it because I like the challenge but more importantly to show others that women can do it,” she adds.

All three of these amazing women decided to follow- up their Edson victory by going to the National SCOTT FireFit Championships in Medicine Hat. Kari placed fifth (03:25.51); Angela sixth (03:45.92); and Tamara seventh (03:57.24). All times were better than their finishes in Edson.

Perhaps Angela summed it up best: “We have to get out and do things—after all, ‘it’s not that life is so short it’s that death is so long.”

16 | The Gazette AFCA 2012 Annual Conference and Trade Show

Mark your calendar!

June 9: Golf Tournament at Jägare Ridge Golf Club in Edmonton region (more information can be found at www.afca.ab.ca website)

June 10: Opening ceremonies at 5:00 p.m. Trade show opening at 6:00 p.m.

June 11: Trade show all day. Official banquet at 6:00 p.m.

June 12: Business session, educational sessions and dinner theatre

June 13: Awards, business session and organizational meeting

Any municipality or fire department that is considering resolutions, please contact Chief Randy Schroeder in Mayerthorpe. Resolutions must be submitted by April 10, 2012 and posted on the ARCA website by April 26, 2012.

Fall/Winter 2011 | 17 Scenes of Convention 2011

18 | The Gazette Scenes of Convention 2011

Fall/Winter 2011 | 19 Where’s Longview? By Derek Coke-Kerr

It is a question, easily answered by the 15 dedicated Alberta’s most beautiful scenic drives lies the small men and women who serve the Longview Fire village of Longview, Alberta with is famous hotels, Department. cowboy bars, Ian Tyson, Longview Beef Jerky and the Longview Fire Department fire hall. Once known as Forty-five minutes south of Calgary on Highway 22, “Little New York” during the boom years of the Turner better known as The Cowboy Trail, along one of Valley oil strike, Longview is now called “the Gateway

20 | The Gazette to Kananaskis”, home of numerous mountain parks, to Kananaskis Provincial Park and the BC border, 11 km resorts, and golf courses. south to Chain Lakes, approximately 13 km east to the 5th meridian, and north, a distance of 10 km. The LFD is an all volunteer department, founded in 1964 and covers one of the largest volunteer regions As well as serving its own area, the department in the province—from west of the village all the way responds to requests from the communities of

Fall/Winter 2011 | 21 Members of the Longview Fire Department.

Kananaskis, Black Diamond, and Turner Valley. One Longview family epitomizes the commitment to the department. Lisa Mikkelson, a current volunteer joined Fire Chief Scott Meston, a 15 year veteran of the LFD, in 2007, following her brother Tom, who joined in says, “It’s a big area to cover, and when you are relying 1999, and her father who started with the LFD in 1978 on volunteers, it’s asking a lot from them. Remember, and served for 15 years as Deputy Chief. And that’s not they all have regular jobs. But this department has a all, two of Lisa’s sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law are proud history of serving the area, and going to the also members of the LFD! assistance of other departments. Our folks are ready, willing and able to get the job done.” Safety of the fire fighters is, of course, a priority and the equipment they use reflects that. High-tech radio The members of the department, three female and communications is paramount, and self-contained 12 male, their ages ranging between 19 and 45, train breathing apparatus (SCBA) is issued to all members regularly at the LFD hall every Monday night. They and training on their use these takes place regularly. also do extensive practical on-the-ground fire-training throughout the year by burning and putting out fires in Motor vehicle accidents are also an unfortunate but old abandoned buildings. In addition, they hone their critical part of a fire fighter’s life. Most often the LFD is skills with training in vehicle extrication techniques, first on the scene and thanks to their high-tech vehicle engine driving exercises, mapping and response-region extrication stabilization tools they are able to render familiarization, as well as taking multiple courses in capable assistance. Distances are so great in these wild order to qualify for advanced levels of fire fighting and beautiful foothills, the LFD is often called upon to proficiency. assist other agencies such the Nanton Fire Department with motor vehicle incidents south of their regular beat

22 | The Gazette • In October, halloweeners come to the hall for hot dogs, hot chocolate, and candy and members drive around the area to check on all the little trick or treaters, making sure the community is safe. • November is the LFD food drive month. The LFD collects nonperishable foods from the always generous residents of Longview and the surrounding rural area and takes the donation to the food bank. Always there when needed, and committed to their community in so many ways, the volunteers of the Longview Fire Department would tell you that they are just doing their job—but their community knows they provide far more than that. on the Cowboy Trail.

LFD is also equipped with a Kubota, a remote rescue vehicle which is invaluable for use in woodland fires and for rescues in the more remote recreational corners of the department’s range.

One particular fire in the department’s history, the Chain Lakes fire of the early ‘80s underscores the LFD’s co-operative agreement with the Lands and Forest division of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. This long-standing collaboration protects Alberta’s environment and recreational areas.

What more can the LFD do! Well, there are many small but important roles they play in the community such as providing EMS medical stand-by at rodeo events, fire drivers for ambulances if they are needed and setting up Stars Air Ambulance safe landing spots when that service is called upon. The LFD also supports the youth of Longview and works with the local school to educate and inform students about fire safety in the home and in recreational areas along the Cowboy Trail.

Other community activities include:

• Hosting the K100 run each June and a supper in the hall for all the runners. • Parading the trucks in the annual July parade and hosting entertainment, beer gardens and a supper. • In August, Longview puts on a music festival and the LFD is a part of that cultural event.

Fall/Winter 2011 | 23 Partnerships Benefit

Acting Station Deputy Northeast Alberta Chief Irene Welecki. Region By Brian Stecyk

Imagine responding to a motor vehicle accident, an industrial fire, a wildland fire and a jet aircraft fire all in the same day. It doesn’t happen often but it certainly could if it’s in the area serviced by the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BRFA).

The BFRA serves an area of over 1 million acres and includes many smaller urban centres, the Town of Bonnyville and the vast forested and agricultural areas in the MD of Bonnyville in northeastern Alberta. Fire stations are located at Goodridge, Glendon, Iron River, Bonnyville, LaCorey, Fort Kent, and Ardmore and a seasonal station at Crane Lake. Today the BFRA has five full-time, four part-time and approximately 180 volunteers.

The Regional Fire Authority also provides 911 answer and dispatch services for Fire, EMS and Constables

24 | The Gazette within the service area. The regional First Nations were the first in the province to become part of a 911 network.

Key to their success and ability to respond to such a vast array of emergency situations is the partnerships which have developed between the BFRA, neighbouring industries and adjacent communities. Building these relationships was really jump-started in 1991 when Imperial Oil Resources (IOR)—Cold Lake Operations signed an agreement with the Town of Bonnyville for fire services to be provided by the Town. In exchange, Imperial Oil would provide equipment and funds for training.

Shortly thereafter, Canadian Natural Resources Wolf Lake and Primrose Thermal Operations joined the partnership. It was a great benefit for industry as technological changes were leading to on-site staff reductions and having an on-site fire department wasn’t economical. A specialized fire truck owned by Imperial Oil was leased to the Town of Bonnyville for $1.00. “Not only does our company benefit from this partnership, but the entire community, in which we all live in,” says Keith Chiasson, Cold Lake Operations Manager.

Fall/WinterFall 2011 | 25 Imperial Oil Resources—Mahkeses Plant site located at Cold Lake Operations.

This was a great benefit for the Town of Bonnyville professionalism because of increased training budgets as the additional equipment could be used for non- to prepare fire personnel to fight industrial fires. industrial purposes. It also led to a higher level of Over the years the various agreements with industry have been renegotiated and as of 2000 the agreement moved to the Regional Fire Authority. The agreement signed at that time was for 10 years. This year a 15-year agreement was concluded.

The key for industry is risk analysis and risk assessment. Imperial Oil Resources and Canadian Natural Resources have found that working with the Regional Fire Authority throughout a project’s development has made their facilities safer, provides equipment and expert resources that enhance operations and emergency preparedness.

“Together with industry the BRFA has greatly improved the overall response to emergencies making both From adapters and wyes to aerial and wildland apparatus, communities and industry safer places to live and WFR has the equipment you need. work,” says Chris Cross, Thermal Field Operations Manager for Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. The BRFA assists with the design of emergency response systems. \WFR Wholesale Fire & Rescue Ltd. 1.800.561.0400 | www.wfrfire.com They work with the engineers to design the project to accommodate emergency response. They also provide fire load advice and inspection services.

26 | The Gazette Canadian Natural Resources—Wolf­ Lake Plant.

Regional Fire Chief Brian McEvoy says, “Thanks to this are not. Our partnership with them is one of mutual working arrangement we know the plant and we have respect—that’s why it works.” the people on staff who know what is at the location and how things work. It works to everyone’s advantage. Another benefit is that many of the industry workers have joined the fire department as volunteers. Their specialized knowledge of the sites complements their training so we can offer a superbly qualified response to emergency situations at industrial locations.”

This fall, the BFRA will meet with Imperial Oil Resources to help them address fire safety on a new $1.8 billion plant. “We look forward to working with the BFRA and continuing our successful, long-term relationship in the years to come, as our operation grows,” adds Chiasson.

Other regional relationships involve First Nations and Métis Settlements where the local governments are the first responders and the Regional Fire Authority the back-up. “We have also worked closely with Cold Lake First Nation, Kehewin First Nation and the Elizabeth Métis Settlement. They have developed excellent services and we are seldom needed,” adds McEvoy.

“To be successful we have treated Aboriginal communities as partners, we understand their culture, and we don’t attempt to make them something they

Fall/Winter 2011 | 27 Neighbouring municipalities outside of the MD of the entire workforce on our worksite,” concludes Bonnyville are also beneficiaries of the Regional Fire Chiasson. Authority’s capabilities. Mutual aid agreements are in place with Lac La Biche County, the County of St. Paul “This partnership is important to Canadian Natural and the City of Cold Lake. Also through agreement the Resources’ commitment to safety. Equally important BRFA provides 911 service and fire dispatching to the is working together to share resources when we can” counties of St. Paul and Smoky Lake. adds Cross.

The Regional Fire Authority through agreement provides It replaces the old but still working truck that was fire fighting equipment to the City of Cold Lake. The originally part of the 1992 agreement. The old truck has City uses the equipment within its own boundaries but been donated by Imperial Oil Resources to the Regional when there is a call outside their boundaries in the MD Fire Authority for follow-up donation to Canadian Aid they respond as if it were within their own community. for Fire Services Abroad (CAFSA). Soon it will become part of the emergency response fire services in Penco, The Cold Lake Air Force Base is located within the City Chile where it is greatly needed after a devastating of Cold Lake. Crashes, although few, are usually within tsunami followed an earthquake. the MD of Bonnyville, The Regional Fire Authority is the first responder—they contain the fire until the military “Alberta fire fighters, like those involved with the fire response arrives. “They are exceptionally well trained Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority, are making a real and are very effective in their job,” says McEvoy. difference in other parts of the world,” says Victor Fernadez, President and Founder of CAFSA. “Equipment New to the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority is a that is outdated for us is state-of-the-art in some state-of-the art specialized foam fire truck designed other countries. If only a fraction of our discarded specifically for the Bonnyville industrial region. It was equipment was saved and redistributed, thousands of purchased by Canadian Natural Resources and Imperial our comrades overseas could experience the same level Oil Resources and provided to the BFRA as part of the of protection we take for granted.” 15 year agreement. Editors note: watch for a major story about CAFSA in an “Our number one priority is safety and we believe that upcoming issue of The Gazette. being a partner in fire suppression allows us to protect

Brian McEvoy, Bonnyville Regional Fire Chief, standing in front of the fire truck that is now in Chile. At the top of the page are photos of donated equipment that has been shipped by CAFSA to South America.

28 | The Gazette Fall/WinterFall 2011 | 29 Who is on the Scene first? Who is on the By Brian Stecyk Scene First? By Brian Stecyk

Often when disaster occurs the first responders are the This situation led to presentation of a resolution at fire departments. They are usually there before police or the recent annual convention of the Alberta Urban ambulances—and they take action. Municipalities Association. The final resolution which passed read, “now therefore be it resolved that the Alberta Urban It is easy to do in major urban centres where fire fighters Municipalities Association urge the Government of Alberta are paid employees but what happens when it is left to to consider compensation for fire service providers as first volunteers? responders to emergency call outs.”

As soon as the alarm goes out, these dedicated volunteers Aldous notes that compensating the fire services leave their jobs, their families, the events they are attending departments in small communities for emergency call or they jump out of bed and quickly leave their personal outs requested by AHS is not only the right thing to lives behind as they assume the role of first responders. do, but would help strengthen these smaller, volunteer Many times it is not a fire but a personal injury and the departments. “If AHS paid these volunteer fire service municipalities carry the cost—even when they are requested departments for responding to emergency calls generated by . by AHS, the departments could use the money to support essential recruitment, retention and training programs,” says “Under the current system, when someone calls 911, Aldous. “They already devote incredible time and energy to Alberta Health Services will mobilize the nearest responder meeting the needs within their own communities. Receiving to emergency calls, and in smaller communities that’s compensation for responding to AHS calls would allow usually the volunteer fire services departments,” explains them to attract and train the volunteers they need to keep Darren Aldous, AUMA immediate past-president. “Of offering those services.” course, that’s the right thing to do, because those people are trained to handle emergencies and save lives. But we Calls generated by the RCMP or on numbered highways do also think it’s only right that AHS compensate those fire result in compensation to municipalities. That is not the case rescue responders who volunteer their time and energy in for calls from AHS that may relate to health issues such as smaller communities across Alberta.” heart attacks, strokes, etc.

30 | The Gazette Fall 2011 | 31 The Chevron Dilemma!… ”to Retrofit or Not to Retrofit?” By David Russell, President, Securitrim 2002 Inc.

This idea of “decorating” at least 50 per cent of the rear Unless of course it bothers you when you have four of all fire apparatus with inverted “V” red/yellow or red/ of your best trained firefighters, all family members, white six inch wide chevrons is radical. I have personally on the side of the poorly lit highway, concentrating contacted hundreds of fire directors and their chiefs of on extricating injured victims. And then the gnawing operations from every province in Canada and yes, some thought crosses your mind…does every oncoming driver consider the retrofit issue a dilemma. Impressively, see them? Then you do have a dilemma! most don’t. Sure, you have the strobes and flashers. But for some First, strictly from the “standards” angle, there is reason, there are drivers that still react at the last no dilemma. You don’t have to retrofit….yet! The minute...maybe daydreaming (even at night)…maybe new standards target new apparatus only. So if your tired, maybe under the influence, maybe distracted, department or municipality only wants to do what is maybe have the “hypnotic effect”…maybe a hundred strictly necessary, then you have no dilemma. Just things. You do what you have to do to grab the don’t retrofit. driver’s attention!

32 | The Gazette kilometre, making your apparatus visible much earlier. This “advanced warning” enhances driver safety by giving motorists time to comprehend and react. And don’t forget...chevrons provide highly visible advance warning even in daytime when they basically don’t even reflect. And we have not even discussed bad weather! Visibility is appreciably reduced in rain, snow, blizzards and of course, in some places that are blessed with it: fog. Interesting paradox…when do most accidents happen? When visibility is at its worst! The earlier you get a driver’s attention, the greater you enhance everyone’s safety. Again, no dilemma!

The bottom line is that most departments tag “officer safety” above the written standards. Does yours? With the chevron retrofit dilemma, the only question you need to ask is “Is it safer for my fire fighters?”

So that is exactly my point. There should be no dilemma whether or not to retrofit. Chevrons have proved to be the most cost-efficient safety feature available. Greater visibility enhances safety.

Now for a few facts if you are with the majority that have determined there is no real dilemma to retrofit or not.

So you add the extra light bars and direction arrows on If you are going to retrofit, go with the new the rear...and the cones…and the flares. This is expensive microprismatic sheeting that provides six to eight times but you say “it is worth it to have peace of mind!” Then more candlepower than the “glass-bead” technology you go one step further and send out a “blocker” truck… used for most reflective applications, such as your why? For the same reason. It isn’t just because some present four inch lateral striping. 3M, Reflexite and Avery “standard” obligates you. It’s your “peace of mind”! It produce microprismatic sheeting. “Retroreflective” means is all about safety. Ask your personnel working with the light is reflected back to the source, not diffused wildly primary unit that is “protected” by the “blocker” if you in all directions. In practice, this means that the reflective still have doubts. Be honest! If you were absolutely sure power is only seen by oncoming drivers, assuming of that every motorist saw the two “lone” flashing lights course they have their headlights on! on the rear of your apparatus and absolutely sure they would react in time, you wouldn’t invest in direction You see microprismatic sheeting every day. It is the red arrows and send out blockers and install cones to keep and white “conspicuity tape” on every truck. It is the your “peace of mind”. You have learned that all motorists ONLY product “DOT approved”. No one argues the do not react the same to emergency vehicles. effectiveness of the DOT microprismatic on trucks. If this technology is spec’d for transportation, why not spec But there still seems to be a dilemma. “They are ugly”! it in for your apparatus. Is your apparatus more or less I say “so what”! Are they visible from far away? Yes. vulnerable than a transport truck or trailer? So there is no real dilemma. “They blind drivers”! I say “come on”! Microprismatic chevrons are not blinding. The new microprismatic material can be used for all They aren’t like a flash bulb popping in your eyes. Rather, striping requirements, including lateral striping, roll-up their reflective power penetrates the distance, up to one

Fall/Winter 2011 | 33 doors, unit numbers, vehicle identification and logos. using products such as CHEK.R.POINTS that adhere to the It comes in several colours and configurations. When flat sections. Most departments install these “in-house” used for these applications, your visibility is increased because of the simplicity of installation. multi-fold from every direction. And if you really want to talk about safety, look carefully at some of the most If there are any doubts of effectiveness, contact “vulnerable” sections of your apparatus? The inside departments such as Fort Nelson, Kelowna, Logan Lake, of doors (when opened) is invisible to an oncoming Balfour Harrop, Foothills, Parkland County, Thompson, motorist as are your sliding equipment drawers when and the Manitoba Fire Commission. They have resolved retracted into the traffic. That is why most OEM’s now the dilemma as have dozens of others in the western add the red/white two inch conspicuity tape to these provinces. areas. Many colours and configurations are available for these applications. If your dilemma persists, why not do one prototype? Convince your city fathers to loosen their purse strings A new option is now entering the chevron scene. It is “for safety’s sake”. Study its effectiveness. It won’t be possible to purchase an “add-on” canvas “sporting” pre- long before everyone including your fire fighters, your installed chevrons that attaches to the vertical section of city fathers and your entire community will “reflect” on your hose bed covers. the fact that this very visible safety feature enhances, not only your safety but enhances the image of your entire Diamond Checkerplate, the winner of the most “non- community. Your chevron retrofit will proclaim “We have visible” finish possible at night, is the easiest to retrofit your safety at heart!” No more dilemmas.

34 | The Gazette where ideas ignite

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