WESTLOCK - From the time a call is dispatched, it takes an average of just over 11 minutes for Westlock firefighters to travel to the fire hall, get suited up, jump in their trucks and arrive at the scene an emergency scene.
That information courtesy of the annual Fire and Emergency Services Report, prepared by fire chief Stuart Koflick, and presented to town council at its Feb. 10 meeting.
“Chief Koflick has put a significant amount of work putting this together and it is very comprehensive,” CAO Simone Wiley commented, while presenting the report to council on behalf of the chief.
In 2019, the department responded to 210 calls including 13 fires, 54 medical responses to aid ambulances, 31 vehicle accidents, 29 public service calls, five gas leaks and/or carbon monoxide responses, three public hazards, one water pipe rupture and one smoke investigation. There were also 73 false alarms.
Of those 13 fires, 10 resulted in $438,160.50 in dollar losses on property and contents valued at $6,613,900, which means an estimated $6,175,400 in property and contents were saved.
Alongside Koflick, there are 23 firefighters, all volunteers, who respond to those calls so quickly, including a deputy chief, two platoon captains, two platoon lieutenants and 15 other firefighters.
Deputy chief Dan Lucyk was recognized for his 15 years on the department in 2019 along with firefighter Shauna Biro who has been there for 10 years.
Koflick’s report also noted that firefighters are on-call 24 hours per day, seven days per week. During peak fire season, from May to October, “a designated crew consisting of one officer and four firefighters is scheduled for on-call duty during the weekend to ensure an adequate response to emergencies.”
When they’re not actually responding to calls, they’re likely training.
“Through collective accountability and individual responsibility the department continued to make advancements in technology, training, emergency planning as well as a significant investment in the professional development of our staff in all divisions,” stated Koflick’s report.
Firefighters completed a variety of courses in 2019 from the Level 1 municipal firefighting course for junior firefighters and newcomers, to apparatus driving and wild land firefighting, farm extrication and advanced heavy rescue training for the veterans.
“The overall commitment and pride of our staff provides continual improvement to quality of service in the community, and the safety of all people in Westlock,” the report stated.
The report also highlighted the four-day deployment of firefighters from the town and Westlock County who were sent to Slave Lake to fight wild fires in the M.D. of Lesser Slave River. An engine from the town and a tender and rapid response unit from the county were also included in the local contribution.
When they’re not responding to emergency calls, or training to respond to emergency calls, firefighters can also be found out in the community, as the department spends a significant amount of time educating residents about fire safety and safety in general.
Koflick’s report pointed to any number of community engagement exercises firefighters participate in throughout the year, including the PARTY program, station tours for students, No Stone Left Alone, parades and the Firefighter in the Sky donation drive, which broke records last holiday season by bringing in more food, cash and coats than it ever has before.
“Providing a volunteer fire service is more than recruiting and training volunteers, it is developing a culture of professionals whose only motivation is to help their fellow citizen in a time of need,” said Koflick in his report.
Chris Zwick, TownandCountryToday.com
