The Bentley District Fire Department is comprised of 17 committed volunteers, dedicated to serving our community. Since its establishment, the Bentley Fire Department has continued to preserve the safety and security of community members within its 1000 sq km area district. From fighting fires, to medical emergency responses, and motor vehicle accidents, our volunteers are highly trained and experienced to react and aid in many emergency situations. Training every Monday night as well as some weekends and responding to over 70 emergency calls per year, the Bentley District Fire Department's volunteers devote their lives to helping others.
On Friday, February 21 shortly after 7:30am members were called to an accident on Hwy#20 just north of Aspelund Road. A southbound vehicle had skidded off the road, rolled down the east embankment and came to rest on it's roof against a stand of trees. The driver, found outside the truck was tended to until EMS arrived. The patient was packaged into the BFD's basket and pulled up to the waiting ambulance. Traffic was carefully managed during the operation. Thanks to the passersby who cared enough to stop and help in the cold conditions.
At 5am on Thursday, February 27 eight firefighters were sent to another one-vehicle accident on Hwy#12 near the summer village of Gull Lake. A westbound vehicle left the road around a corner, ending up on it's side in the ditch. The patient was tended to by EMS and the fire department ensured the vehicle was disabled and stabilized while controlling the early morning traffic.
The Bentley District Fire Department would like to thank all those who attended the Safety Day program at the Bentley Ag Centre on Tuesday, March 11. We saw many school classes as well as others in our community, come out to learn more about steps we all can take to ensure our own personal safety. Thank you to all the volunteers who contributed to this important event. The interest and turnout was wonderful and we were happy to be a part of it!
Firefighter Jeff Vert, Captain Al Bickford, MP Blaine Calkins (in bunker gear)
Firefighter Kathi Issler, MP Blaine Calkins, Captain Al Bickford, Firefighter Pat Madden
About 8 am on January 23, nine members were sent to the scene of an accident on Highway #20 just north of Aspelund Road. Two individuals had to be extricated from their vehicle which proved to be difficult due to the large amount of snow in the ditch and the precarious position the vehicle was in. Once extricated, they were sent to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Unfortunately another individual was pronounced dead at the scene. The highway was closed for quite some time as the RCMP conducted their investigation.
On the morning of January 29, due to the significant amount of vehicle accidents that day, members were called by Lacombe Fire Department to help assist with an accident at Highway #12 and #2A in Lacombe. The BFD was stood down while en route as Lacombe was able to free themselves from previous incidents to attend this scene themselves.
Close to noon on January 31, firefighters were again called to assist Lacombe Fire Department with another wave of vehicle accidents, this time at Highway #12 and #2. Once again members were stood down as the situation was managed by Lacombe.
At 6:13 pm on February 4, eleven members were alerted to a call of alarms ringing at a business in town. The alarm upstairs was activated by what turned out to be food burning in the microwave. Unexpectedly the occupant had locked themselves out of the apartment in the business below. Firefighters pried open the door to gain entrance and fortunately the fire in the microwave had extinguished itself.
On February 15 at 6:30 pm a call came in of alarms ringing at a Bentley residence. Nine firefighters responded and investigated what turned out to be a false alarm.
All of us at the Bentley District Fire Department are very excited and proud to be in our beautiful new facility! We look forward to showing it off with an “Open House” which will happen when everything is completed.
Submitted by Kathi Issler Bentley District Fire Department