This has been a busy fall for your fire department with ten emergency calls this past month:
On September 20 at 12:31 a.m. ten members responded to a single-vehicle rollover at Range Road 2-5 and Twp. Rd. 41-0. The car was found on its roof in the ditch with no occupant in the vicinity so the area was searched using the thermal imaging camera. The vehicle was suspected to be stolen and crews were released by RCMP.
At ten in the morning on September 27 five members were sent to the gas station in Bentley where a person had collapsed inside the building. Crews assisted EMS with moving the patient carefully out to the waiting ambulance and moving his car to the parking lot before the trip to hospital.
At 8:05 p.m. on September 28 crews were sent to 48 Ave and 52 Street in Bentley for a vehicle vs deer collision. No injuries were reported (except the deer) so the animal was pulled off the road, traffic directed around the area and fluids cleaned from the roadway. RCMP was unable to attend.
On October 4 at 5:47 p.m. twelve members were sent to Gull Lake Village, to a call of alarms ringing. The alarm company reported that the smoke alarm had activated and the FD was directed to the wrong address. Fortunately, the homeowner across the street met the members who were informed it was a cooking incident. After a short investigation this was deemed a non-emergency.
At 12:47 p.m. on October 6 crews were sent to a 2-vehicle MVA at Highway #12A and RR 28-3. No injuries were reported but traffic was handled while crews cleaned up spilled fluids from the road. RCMP was notified but unable to attend as they were on another call. The vehicles were released from the scene by conservation officers who were in telephone contact with police.
On October 7 at 8 p.m. the BFD received a call for Mutual Aid to Lacombe Fire Department who was fighting a bale fire in their area. Nearly 100 large round bales were involved and spreading in the extremely windy conditions. Bentley’s Tender was used to shuttle water while crews from Engine spent a busy three hours to bring the blaze under control and prevent it spreading to buildings nearby.
At 12:51 p.m. on October 9 a report of a gas odour was received, at the intersection of Highways 12 and 20. A passerby had reported a “mist” and a gas smell at this location. No gas odor was detected in the area so crews drove 2-4 miles in all directions to determine the source, none of which was ever discovered. The gas detectors never recorded any elevated levels of noxious substances so members returned to the hall.
In the early afternoon on October 10 the BFD was sent to an MVA at 40015 Highway #20 near the intersection. A pickup truck was found imbedded in Rainy Creek, partly submerged. No occupants were inside and RCMP confirmed it was stolen. The BFD and police conducted a search of the area, travelling quite some distance along the riverbank and in the densely treed areas along the neighbouring yard site. No one was found. Firefighters notified Alberta Environmental Department to give a vehicle description and location for further cleanup as needed.
On October 17in the early morning hours another alarms call was received, this time from the Bentley Curling Arena. It was reportedly coming from the ice-making room. No key holder was reachable so the fire department made a non-destructive entry to investigate. The search team donned their BAs and went through each room with the gas sniffer but no elevated levels were discovered. The arena was locked and security system re-armed before leaving the scene.
And on October 19 right at noon crews were sent to the intersection of Highways #12 and #20. A southbound car and an eastbound SUV had collided, sending both into the east ditch. The driver and lone occupant of the car had self-extricated and was being attended to by passersby, while the two in the SUV remained in the vehicle to wait for the ambulance. Minor extrication was required and EMS assessed all patients before transporting them to the hospital. Firefighters controlled traffic at the busy intersection while belongings were retrieved, vehicles were towed and the roads which were littered with debris and fluids were cleaned up. Many thanks to the drivers first on scene who actually stayed to help! It is so appreciated.
The Bentley District Fire Department would like to invite you all to our annual Open (Haunted) House on Thursday, October 31 from 6-8 p.m. Bring your costumed kids and go from truck to truck collecting candy and learning more about your fire hall and firefighters! We’re looking forward to seeing you there!