The Community
Press Your LOCAL Paper!
Volume 114, Issue 31
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
Freezing rain causes problems for drivers
$1 Including GST
Hours reduced for Daysland Emergency Dept. Leslie Cholowsky Editor
LESLIE CHOLOWSKY PHOTO
For most Flagstaff residents, attempting to drive anywhere last Friday, Feb. 4, while it was raining resulted in a very icy windshield. Many drivers report that windshield wipers and full heat werenʼt enough to keep windshields from icing over, often while driving. Stopping anywhere for longer than 5-10 minutes meant coming back to a vehicle covered with a thin layer of ice.
Alberta Health Services announced Friday, Feb. 4, that the Daysland Health Centre Emergency Department (ED) would be temporarily implementing reduced hours starting Monday, Feb. 7. “The ED will continue to be open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.” AHS says it is working to ensure local residents continue to have access to care, noting that emergency department services needed outside of these times can be accessed at St. Mary’s Hospital in Camrose (42 km away) or the Killam Health Care Centre (31 km away.) In addition to reduced ED hours, the Daysland Health Centre will also have the number of acute care and rehabilitation beds temporarily reduced due to a temporary shortage of Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses. “Patient care will not be affected as the site ha sufficient capacity at this time and there is space for additional patients as needed. AHS says 10 acute care bed spaces and seven rehabilitation beds will remain open. “AHS is grateful for the support of surrounding healthcare centres and medical staff, and would like to thank the community for its patience and understanding during this time.” AHS expects that the Emergency Department will resume its usual hours of operation Feb. 17.
Tragic accident claims life of Castor firefighter Leslie Cholowsky Editor
The Castor Fire Department was called to a motor vehicle accident the evening of Friday, Feb. 4, that had occurred near the town on Secondary Highway 599. Highway conditions were not good at that time, with roadways covered with ice from freezing drizzle. While enroute to the scene, one of the Department’s vehicles lost control on the icy roadway and rolled. The accident claimed the life of Castor firefighter Stephen Rayfield and injured Fire Chief Patrick Kelly. Killam and Alliance Fire Departments were called in response to the incidents, and attended the scene also providing traffic support, as was Flagstaff Regional Emergency Services Director Kim Cannady. Castor Council released a statement on Saturday, Feb. 5, with the details of the accident, adding, “This has been a traumatic event for all our firefighters and their families. So please support them in any ways you can in the coming days.”
“It is a reminder to all first responders how dangerous our jobs are. Our hearts go out to their family's and our partners in Castor fire department,” says Sergeant John Pike of the Coronation RCMP in an official statement issued Monday. Rayfield was reportedly a very active member of the Castor community, and fire department. He leaves behind a wife and child. In a touching tribute, firefighters and fire departments across the province and the country have expressed their condolences to the Castor Fire Department members on their social media account with many planning to lower a flag in Rayfield’s honour. AHS EMS first responders also conveyed condolences to the Rayfield family, and expressed their hopes for Chief Kelly to make a full recovery. Victims from the original accident were taken to hospital with minor injuries. Brian Starkell, national president of the Canadian Volunteer Fire Services Association, told CBC that los-
ing any volunteer firefighter is a "huge tragedy." "In the fire industry, we're a big family. When we have a tragedy with our own family, it's a shock for all of us across Canada," he said. "[For] not just his immediate family, but also his department and the rest of the firefighters, it's a brotherhood and a sisterhood, and it's a shock to everybody." Flagstaff Regional Emergency Services Society (FRESS) Manager Derek Homme said, “Just a terrible situation all around. “These are the risks that our volunteers unfortunately must take when the calls come in.” Castor Mayor Richard Elhard said that the community will support firefighters and the grieving family in the days to come. “This community, for sure, will stand behind them," he said. A friend of the family has organized a GoFundMe account for Rayfield’s family, hoping to raise $30,000. By Tuesday late afternoon the total raised was already over $23,000.