Sundre firefighters say there is a need for a training facility in Sundre to conduct weekly training exercises so they don't have to go to Olds.
Members of the Sundre Fire Department are requesting $20,000 from the Town of Sundre to help pay for a proposed $50,000 facility, as well as $20,000 from Mountain View County. They already have a $10,000 donation from Shell Canada for the project.
During a recent capital planning session, Sundre council said they would consider the $20,000 request for the facility during upcoming budget deliberations.
Coun. Tony Jordan said he is in support of the project because he doesn't want Sundre firefighters going to Olds and having the community “left exposed.”
The Olds regional fire training grounds consist of a three-storey smokehouse, flashover simulator, three-storey open floor tower, propane props and an area for vehicle extrication.
Fire chief Marty Butts and training officer Rob McBride presented the proposal to council during the meeting on Oct. 20.
“We don't have the ability to train the way we should be training,” said McBride.
“Taking trucks and manpower out of the Sundre area leaves the community unprotected in the event of an emergency.”
The facility would be a two-storey sea can style burn building where firefighters could conduct ladder and rope training, as well as self- contained breathing apparatus drills and pumper drills using charged lines, he said.
He believes the facility would allow the members of the fire department to conduct more frequent, realistic training, as well as creating more confident and efficient firefighters.
He added it would also reduce the possibility of serious injuries and property losses through proper training.
“This facility will allow Sundre firefighters the opportunity to train in valuable firefighting techniques that they are currently unable to train in,” town officials reported to council.
“Olds training grounds are available. However, time and distance do not allow for quality training.”
Officials say the proposed facility would be built on property owned by Mountain View County on Rge. Rd. 5.4.
There are currently 31 active members belonging to the Sundre Fire Department. They train for three hours every Wednesday except the first Wednesday of each month. Training sessions involve various fire, rescue and EMS scenarios.
