Rocky View County (RVC) Fire Services is inviting the public to attend the grand opening of their new Bearspaw Fire Hall Sept. 6 from noon-3 p.m.
The firehall has been fully operational since Canada Day weekend, according to RVC Fire Chief Randy Smith, with four firefighters on location at all times.
“It has increased the fire service in the County,” said Smith. “Before this, we used to bring in our partners from Cochrane and Springbank (fire services)…that’s one of our biggest obstacles in the County — travelling distances.”
With time being of the essence when it comes to life threatening situations that fire services respond to — from medical emergencies to highway crashes to fires — Smith emphasized the importance of all partners working together.
“Fire suppression is a team effort,” said Smith. “Cochrane is one of our strongest partners and I don’t see that changing…we will continue to work with them on public safety and fire prevention.”
Smith explained that while the County can call on Calgary Fire Services for assistance, the agreements are in place to call on Cochrane Fire Services for County assistance first.
Smith said that the new fire hall — the County’s seventh — would see the part time County firefighter positions increase from 84 to 120; there are currently 24 full-time, as well as 82 volunteers on the roster.
The Bearspaw Fire Hall is currently awaiting new inventory, including a fire engine, a tender (for transporting water) and an Emergency Response Unit (this is dispatched for minor calls and assists, sending out two firefighters rather than four at a time).
The grand opening will include fire extinguishing demos, tours of the fire hall and fire trucks, complimentary snacks and drinks, face painting, a photo booth and arson dog demos.
Everyone is welcome to attend. The location is 31211 Lochend Place (at the corner of Highway 1A and Highway 766).
