The past month has been a busy one for your local fire department, as we responded to 13 emergency calls.
On April 20, we responded to a call for a beeping smoke detector. The attending firefighters were able to determine that a low battery was the cause of the beeping and, after ensuring things were made safe, we returned to the hall. We would like to take the opportunity to assure residents that if you are unsure about the cause of a sounding smoke or carbon monoxide detector, it is better to call us and not need us than to need us but not call.
On April 28, Bentley Fire was toned out to assist Eckville Fire for a very large grass fire in their area. Every available member was needed to knock down and extinguish this stubborn fire. In addition to hoses and portable water packs, we used fire brooms and one of our newer tools: a leaf blower. It is pretty amazing how much fire we can attack with this tool, rather like blowing out a very large candle!
On April 30, the members were requested for a medical assist. Firefighters assisted EMS with transferring a patient to the ambulance.
Structure fires are a relatively rare occurrence for our department, but on May 1, the Bentley Fire Department responded to a request for mutual aid from Eckville Fire for a mobile home on fire in their area. Bentley provided manpower, water supply and assistance with overhaul.
On May 2, 14 members responded to a serious motorcycle accident. Firefighters assisted with patient care and transfer to a waiting ambulance. STARS Air Ambulance was called to the scene and the patient was air lifted to hospital.
On May 3, Bentley was requested for mutual aid to Sylvan Lake Fire Department, but stood down before they arrived on scene.
Later the same day, members were again toned out, this time for a small grass/brush fire. The fire was quickly extinguished.
At around noon on May 4 for another grass fire, but were able to bring it under control quickly on their own. Bentley was stood down en-route and returned to hall. About four hours later, it was a case of ‘Deja-Vu all over again” as Bentley was again requested for a grass fire by Eckville but stood down while responding. We are always happy to respond and, again, we would rather be on our way to help if needed than not be called. We are kind of funny that way…
On May 10, a child pulled the fire alarm at a local business and got to see the fire trucks respond with full lights and sirens! Fortunately, it was a false alarm.
On May 12, the Bentley Fire department needed mutual aid from the Lacombe Fire Department to deal with a large fire involving grass, multiple vehicles, rubbish and a treed area, which was also threatening several structures. Although short of people initially, the attending members did a fantastic job of containing and controlling the fire until more resources could be brought to the scene to fully extinguish the blaze.
On May 14, twelve members responded to a serious single vehicle accident west of town. The driver was able to get himself out of the vehicle, but his injuries were serious enough to require transport to hospital by ambulance.
The intersection of Highways 12 and 20, just west of town, has long been a source of multiple motor vehicle incidents every year for the department. On May 15 – one day before construction of a traffic circle was scheduled to begin at that intersection, we had another. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries. The members of the Bentley Fire Department are very much looking forward to having this dangerous intersection made safer.
The events of the past month are great examples of how the various fire departments in our area support one another with apparatus and personnel when needed. We are grateful to have such great working relationships with our neighboring departments!