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East district fire hall inaugurated

Ponoka County officially opens new fire department with hall dedication and announces new program
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East Ponoka Frie Chief Dale Morrow (far left) and Ponoka Regional Fire Chief Dennis Jones (far right) hold the ribbon as county council members (l-r) Mark Matejka

Just 37 days after their new building was transferred to their control, Ponoka County Regional Fire Services inaugurated the East Division Fire Hall with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, April 21.

The county council and CAO were on hand for the inuaguration as were Assistant Fire Commissioner Jeremy Wagner representing Municipal Affairs and President Peter Krich of Alberta Fire Chiefs Association.

Ponoka Regional Fire Services Chief Dennis Jones thanked in a short speech to the county council and staff for supporting their efforts and all others who have contributed to the completion of the new fire hall in such a short time.

“We are making history today,” Jones said as he expressed gratitude to all the volunteer firefighters who signed up for the East Ponoka Fire Services and to their families for accepting to be part of fire services family.

Reeve Paul McLauchlin in his short remarks thanked for the work done which allowed the new fire hall to become fully functional in such a short time. “You gave 110 per cent to this new fire hall, we expect 120 per cent in the future,” he said jokingly. “We never second-guessed (the success of the project), because we work with great people who get things done,” he said.

County CAO Charlie Cutforth paid tribute to all council members for showing the courage to vote for the project.

New cadet program

In connection with the iauguration, Fire Chief Jones also gave details of the new fire cadet program they are introducing for both east and west districts of the regional fire services.

Under the program, cadets would be recommended by their schools and final acceptance is to be determined by the local District Fire Chief/Regional Chief.

Cadets will be required to attend bi-monthly practices (minimum of 1 per month) as well as formal NFPA 1001 Level I firefighter training and other classes as deemed appropriate.

Through the program, cadets should be able to obtain certifications with the costs covered by Ponoka County Regional Fire Services, including First aid/CPR/AED, Incident Command 100, Wildland Fire S100G course, NFPA 1001 Level I Firefighter, other courses/certifications as deemed appropriate

They will be provided bunker gear and other safety equipment for the hands-on skills training as well as a uniform shirt.

Initially, the fire services are said to be looking at the possibility of having two cadets, 16 or olde per fire hall per training session, which is planned for mid-October to end of March or beginning of April each year.

“We have already completed our first presentation at Ponoka Secondary Campus on April 20 and will be booking times at the other high schools in the county over the next two months and/or in the fall,” said Jones.

In addition to the certified fire training, students can also be eligible for work experience credits towards their high school diploma requirements.