Vegreville Fire Department Outlines Plan for Training Centre

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser

For the past three years members of the Vegreville Fire Department, (VFD), has been raising funds for a live training centre.

came before town council with their plan during the legislative committee meeting on June 16. Captain Steve Mervin, and Lieutenant Amanuel Webeshet presented the proposal. Deputy Fire Chief Mark Lucas said he was in attendance to offer support to his fellow firefighters.

The live training centre would be located on existing land behind the regional emergency building which currently houses the fire department. The training centre would be a threestorey structure built out of three sea can containers. There would be a vehicle extrication pad and a flammable fuels pad.

Mervin said smoke concerns have been addressed and explained the fire pit would only measure 23 and ¼ inches and that propane would be used as the fuel and could be turned on and off quickly. He said there would be no additional costs for firefighter training.

“The project would include a live fire training and industrial fire props specifically designed to train firefighters to respond to incidents related to residential fire response, industrial in the region, technical rescue, hazardous material props and a classroom facility.”

Under the business plan, the live training facility, would allow emergency services to keep pace with the rapid changes in fire suppression and response training. “In order to serve the residents and industries in the area, emergency services need to provide training on an accelerated schedule that meets the increased demand of the region.”

Cpt. Mervin pointed to the need for centralized facility, and one that would provide a higher level of training to the volunteer firefighters in Vegreville as well as firefighters in the surrounding communities of Minburn County, Two Hills County, and Beaver County.

Mervin said he was not asking for money, just the support of town councillors for the project. Having a training facility allow the fire department to better develop the skills and knowledge of members with minimal impact to family and work life, and subsequently, create a strong cadre of qualified instructors to continue to develop and deliver training necessary in the area to support the community and economic growth of the area. “In conjunction with the right business planning, there is also opportunities for the department to host regional training and conferences that will bring additional visitors to the community that would boost tourism.”

The fire department is currently seeking industrial partners for the project. “Our total anticipated budget for this project is $126,715; $70,000 which has been raised through fire department fundraising and private donations, added Mervin. “The remainder can be raised through grants as the project can be done in two stages to complete the project over time, two years. The initial funding and in-kind donations would be enough to start the project in 2020.”

According to information contained in the report, the Town of Vegreville has provided $20,000 in-kind equipment, fuel and materials for the project.

The VFD was officially incorporated in 1909 by local volunteer firefighters and the Town of Vegreville. Today, it not only protects the citizens of Vegreville, but the west portion of Minburn County and all those that pass through and by the community on the highways, which cover 1,026 square kilometres.

VFD has a fire services manager who is under the direction of the town’s community services director. It currently has one part-time fire chief, one full time administrative assistant, 40 paid on call volunteers which includes two deputy fire chiefs, four captains, four lieutenants and 30 firefighters. “Our annual operating budget is $725,400 funded by 91 percent by the Town of Vegreville and 9 percent supplemented by a five year fire services contract to the County of Minburn,” stated Mervin.