Strathmore Rural Fire Fighters Association update

Times Contributor       

 

The Strathmore Rural Fire Fighters Association (SRFFA) recently held their Annual General Meeting (AGM), April 21, and the new board for the 2014 year was formed.

The new board representing SRFFA are Don Shelley as Chair, Bruce Rande as Vice-Chair, Brad Walls as treasurer and Sonny Warrack as secretary. At the AGM the previous year’s events are reviewed.

Shelley said they would continue their cooperation and good relationship with Wheatland County. They are currently awaiting the recommendations from consultants hired to review all departments of the County including rural fire departments. 

Copies were sent to every fire chief in the county, followed by visits to every fire hall. These recommendations on the operations of services are to be released in early May 2014.

Until the recommendations and new direction is finalized the SRFFA will continue to support volunteer firefighters for both Strathmore and Carseland. A mutual-aid agreement with all other departments in the county, as well as the Town of Strathmore Fire Department, will also continue.

Shelley’s intentions are “to build the board back up to the way it was with hopes for a renewed interest from the community residents in the County.” 

The board’s goals for 2014 are to be an active advisory committee to the fire department, and to participate in fundraising events to build up the coffer.

Presently all fire departments could use more active volunteers for their departments. The Strathmore Rural Fire Department is actively seeking local women and men to be volunteer firefighters.

The Strathmore Rural Fire Department provides fire protection services and rescue services within the County of Wheatland, and in the rural area surrounding the Town of Strathmore. The department responds on average to 180 emergency calls each year.

Training meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month in Strathmore and Wednesdays in Carseland commencing at 7:30 p.m.

Fire Chief Mark Heilman can be contacted through cedarc@abnet.ca or go to the www.ruralfire.ca.