By June Norvila
A new Bentley District fire chief has been on the job just over two months now and a revitalized and rejuvenated group of volunteer firefighters is eagerly serving the Bentley and the surrounding area.
Dr. Craig Colegrave took over as chief from long-time former chief Bill Garries. Colegrave's name had been put forward and recommended by the local firefighters during one of their meetings. Colegrave was approved and appointed fire chief Bentley and Lacombe County councils in December.
"I want the department to run in a professional manner, have an active recruitment program (as there is always a constant turnover of volunteers) and to provide training. I look forward to making the (Bentley) fire department a dedicated team of selfless individuals providing a community service and accessible to everyone, making it second to none, and the jewel of Alberta once again (like it once was)," Colegrave said.
He added that he would like to see the team become EMR-responsive in the future.
Colegrave moved to the Bentley area from Victoria, B.C. about five years ago to retire. He was asked by another fire department volunteer if he was interested in joining the brigade. He joined as a regular volunteer just over two years ago. His administrative and organizational skills along with emergency services experience as a trauma surgeon are definitely added assets for the position. He has been married 15 years to Celina and they have a three-year-old son, Clint.
There are 16 active members with 10 living within the town and six from the surrounding rural area. It is a good blend of experienced members familiar with the area and equipment, and new eager recruits, some trained and others in various stages of the training process of getting.
Captains are Doug Moroz, Todd Gustafson, and Ian McLaren, who is a qualified instructor.
The department is truly a blend of town and county working together under one umbrella. They share not only manpower but equipment as well. There is a town pumper truck, a county engine and tender and a new joint rescue vehicle. The costs of various other equipment are shared between the town and county.
Besides fighting fires, they can also offer on the spot first aid, help with traffic control and vehicle extrication, offer public education and awareness, etc. as needed or requested.
Normally, Bentley members meet at least twice a month for training and once a month for service sessions. There has already been plenty of training including ice rescue, training in a smoke filled environment, a pre-incident business building plan, and school bus accident management. Members are encouraged to attend training sessions offered by other jurisdictions, and training sessions hosted by Bentley are open to others.
More applicants are still welcome. Information packages and an application form can be picked up at the town office. Qualifications include being a minimum age of 18 years with a valid drivers license (Class 3 preferred) and have a clean driver's abstract. Acceptance is decided on a case-by-case basis.
Potential candidates must be physically fit and pass a medical and a criminal record check and supply at least three references. Colegrave said he would check every reference.
Upon successful acceptance and following an interview, the second part of the application will be given to the candidate to complete. There is a six-month probationary period in which a certain level of training is expected.
In the future, a green flashing light will be installed on rural member's personal vehicles. It in no way will give them special privileges on the road such as speeding, proceeding through a red light or stop sign, or breaking any other laws. The public is simply being asked, as a courtesy, to move aside if safe to do so, to allow the identifiable volunteer firefighter to respond to an emergency call in a timely fashion.
A celebration for those members who recently retired from the department with a combined service of over 160 years, plus their invited guests, is being planned in their honour. It is by invitation only and will include presentations and a catered dinner at the Blindman Valley Ag Centre on March 20.
School-aged children in the Bentley area are invited to submit designs for a new fire department crest during the month of February. The prize is a 32-gig IPod Touch. An entry form and instructions can be picked up at the town office. Details are also posted on the Wolf Creek Public Schools web site http://bentley.wolfcreek.ab.ca on the contest link.
For more information about the volunteer fire department contact the Town of Bentley at 403-748-4044.