Article posted on October 10, 2024
First Responder Appreciation Evening Well-Received
The County of Newell Fire and Emergency Services hosted a successful first responders’ appreciation night on August 1. The event also allowed an opportunity to raise funds for HALO Air Ambulance.
“We raised $21,700,” said Stewart Luchies, regional fire chief for the county. “When HALO approached us to do a training night, it was an opportunity to do more and to involve the community.”
An estimated 600 people attended the community barbecue and appreciation event held at Brooks. JBS Canada donated the beef, Jenner Colony Farming Company pressed the patties and Atlee Ranches donated the buns. On site was a bouncy castle for the local kids, and the county’s nine fire stations and volunteers were present with some of their trucks and equipment. AHS EMS was also in attendance and the public had the opportunity to explore firetrucks as well as the inside of an ambulance.
Above: The bouncy castle was great fun for children in attendance.
The main attraction was a collaborative demonstration of a very realistic patient extrication. County of Newall fire services stabilized the demonstration vehicle while an AHS EMS crew out of Brooks attended to the patient. Attendees were able to see a landing zone created for HALO who arrived on scene to transport the patient.
“Our rural volunteer fire departments are absolutely vital to HALO’s operations, especially when it comes to creating safe landing zones in remote areas. Their local knowledge, professionalism, and dedication ensure that we can respond swiftly to time-sensitive emergencies in communities that may otherwise be hard to reach. In many ways, rural volunteer fire departments are an extension of our own team, and without their commitment, many of HALO’s missions wouldn’t be possible,” explained Paul Carolan, CEO of HALO Air Ambulance.
Above: County of Newell firefighters and AHS EMS paramedics work together to demonstrate a vehicle extrication while awaiting the landing of HALO.
After the extrication demonstration, Luchies acknowledged and presented the county’s fire stations – Bassano, Patricia, Duchess, Tilley, Bow City, Gem, Rolling Hills and Scandia – with plaques of recognition.
“I think it went over really well,” said Luchies. “This event also gave us the opportunity to thank some of our partners such as Red Deer Dispatch, the City of Brooks, Cypress County Emergency Servies, Special Areas Emergency Services and Alberta Health Services.”
Luchies says he would like the event to become an annual tradition within the community.
“Rural volunteer fire departments serve as the backbone of emergency response for their communities. In areas where paid-professional emergency services may be scarce, these dedicated volunteers are often the first and sometimes only responders available,” said Carolan. “Their selflessness and readiness to act at any time are crucial to safeguarding lives and property in rural regions, making them an indispensable part of public safety.”
Above: Members of the Duchess Fire Department were one of the many County of Newell departments to attend the special event held at Brooks.
Last Updated: Thursday, October 10, 2024