The Busby Volunteer Fire Department has broken ground to expand its current fire hall thanks to grant funding and the tireless efforts of volunteers.
Westlock County Fire Services chief John Biro applauded the Busby department for their hard work to make the $100,000 project possible.
“The hall that they’re in is just a small two-bay hall and with the added equipment and vehicles to support the members, it’s too small,” he said. “They’ve been finding grants and finding the community’s support and doing different events to find the funds to support the building another bay.”
The fire department was successful in finding provincial grant dollars as well as donations from the community to fund the project.
“One of the biggest things are the donations from the community members. All their help and labour and monetary help,” said Busby fire chief Jared Stitsen.
“We have a Maltese cross set up at the hall and anyone who donates their name is going on.”
Shovels hit the ground last week and the main structure is expected to be complete before the winter. The fire department and community volunteers are doing all the labour to save on costs.
“We’ve been out there each night probably until 11 p.m.,” Stitsen said.
“Everybody’s got a day job and they come home from work and goes there.
“It’s truly a community effort. We’re hoping not to have any county dollars.”
Biro said once the new bay is built, it will allow the Busby department to better serve the community.
“It allows for better service, housing the vehicles, and allowing the members to have a little more space to practice and work in the bays,” Biro said. “It’s going to definitely help in their training as well.
“There was just no room for the equipment that’s required to respond to the emergencies we’ve been dealing with.”
Stitsen said the fire department is appreciative of everyone that’s rallied to help make the project possible.
“The volunteers are just unreal … young and old, everyone is just giving it,” he said.
