This spring your fire department has been kept very busy:

• At 4:33 pm on March 16 crews were sent to a residence in Sunbreaker Cove where alarms were ringing. Firefighters were stood down en route as it was determined to be a false alarm.
• On March 18 around suppertime ten members went again to the same home where the alarms were sounding. Another false alarm was determined.
• On April 3 nine firefighters rushed to the scene of a 2-vehicle accident at an intersection in Bentley. Fortunately there were no apparent injuries and both drivers were out of their vehicles upon BFD's arrival. The roadway was cleaned up and traffic flow restored.
• Shortly after noon on April 7 six members went to another alarms call, this time in Gull Lake Village. The homeowners were doing renovations near their smoke alarm, triggering it. This was deemed another false alarm.
• On April 12 at 5:15 pm twelve firefighters raced to help Lacombe Fire Department, who were already busy fighting a grassfire, with a 2-house fire in their city. The houses were both fully engulfed and no people were trapped inside so all the firefighters concentrated their efforts on saving the neighbouring homes. 5 hours were spent battling this blaze.
• Midafternoon the next day fourteen members were called to a rural property where fence repair welding resulted in a grassfire. The fire was extinguished, helped along by two bobcats which were handily on scene. The BFD soaked down the area to prevent re-ignition.
• Shortly after 9 that same evening crews were sent to a single-motorcycle accident on Highway #12 and RR 28-4. The driver had left the road and sailed into the ditch. The patient had some minor injuries but was conscious and was cared for until EMS arrived. Traffic was carefully managed until the scene was cleared.
• On April 23 at 1:56 pm Mutual Aid was requested by Lacombe FD for an outside fire in their area. Our Tender (water truck) and firefighters spent four hours shuttling water to the scene until the burn was extinguished.
• Crews attended a grassfire on April 30 on RR 1-0 just north of Aspelund Road. A burn barrel had apparently re-ignited and spread to the adjacent field, fortunately passing by the residence. Crews fought the burn until it was completely out.
• On the morning of May 5 the BFD was sent to Aspelund Road just east of Highway #20 where a car and concrete truck had collided. The driver of the truck received minor injuries and the car's driver was taken by STARS to the hospital. Morning commuters had to wait for a bit as some firefighters were busy cutting open the vehicle and extricating the patient while others set up a landing zone on the highway for STARS.
• On May 7 the Bentley Transfer Station had some excitement as the ignited burn pit travelled further than was intended and set the adjacent field on fire. Members extinguished the blaze and the area is greening up nicely.
• Another fire was reported on May 9, this time on Highway #771 north of town. An old abandoned house was ablaze and upon the BFD's arrival a huge mushroom cloud of flame erupted. No one was hurt but after the fire was put out two large drums of flammable liquid were discovered inside.
• Later that same day the BFD were sent to assist EMS with a patient in Bentley.
• Another single-motorcycle accident occurred at the intersection of Highway #12 and RR 28-4 on May 10. Crews tended to the driver and established safe traffic flow until the patient was evaluated by EMS and sent by ambulance to Lacombe hospital.
• On May 12 at 3:05 am, eleven members responded to a call for Mutual Aid in Eckville, where two tanks were on fire at a trucking company. Crews were stood down while en route as the situation became manageable.
• At 3:27 am on May 16 firefighters attended an accident at Lakeview Campground. The vehicle lost control and struck a tree, injuring the four occupants. Members assisted EMS with the patients, one of which was sent to hospital.
• At 9:47 that same morning a call was received of alarms ringing at a Bentley residence. The homeowner was consulted and this too was ruled a false alarm.
• And at 5:58 pm the same day eleven members went back to the abandoned house on Highway #771 where the previously extinguished fire had re-ignited. The sawdust insulation inside was completely removed, spread out and covered with foam to smother the entire area.

On May 11 we had some fun at Camp L.G. Barnes instructing the counsellors on the use of fire extinguishers. We all had a great time and hope to continue this annual training event.

Spring is here!! We at the Bentley District Fire Department always have a great time with the Kindergarten classes who come for their Fire Hall tours this time of year. Thanks for the visits, we hope you have learned some interesting things!

It’s that time of year again that people may be looking at burning unwanted rubbish or yard waste.

It is very important that the residents in the town of Bentley understand what is allowed to be burned and when.
Please be aware of the bylaws that have been put in place to ensure the safety and comfort of the town residents. Here are a few bylaw excerpts to help.
If you are a resident of Lacombe County, a fire permit must be acquired as of April 1. Please go to www.lacombecounty.com for more information.
If you must burn, please burn safe.

BY-LAW NO. 100/06
Garbage collection and disposal bylaw

7.    Burning Regulations

7.1    Burning is permitted only in metal barrels or drums or incinerators.

7.2    No person shall burn or be responsible for the burning of any rubber, leather, bones, tar paper, treated wood products, plastic or any other material emitting hazardous fumes or an offensive odor, within the limits of the Town of Bentley at any time.

7.3    No person shall burn or be responsible for the burning of any waste, refuse or garbage before sunrise and after sunset on any day of the week and not on Sunday, Monday, or on any recognized holiday.

7.4    Any person who burns is entirely responsible to ensure that the burning takes place without danger to other properties or inconvenience to neighbouring properties and the Town shall in no way be held responsible for any damage or inconvenience experienced.

By-law No. 165/2013
Community Standards By-law

SECTION I – AIR QUALITY

No person shall engage in any activity that is likely to allow smoke, dust or other airborne matter to disturb other people located in adjacent or near-by properties.

By-law No. 128/2008

10. Recreation Fires (Fire Pits and Barbeques)

a)   Recreational Fires are permitted, subject to the following specifications;

• a required minimum of 3.3 metres (10 feet) clearance, measured from the nearest fire pit edge to building, property line or other combustible materials
• the height does not exceed 0.6 metres (23.4 inches) when measured from the surrounding grade to the top of the pit opening
• the pit opening does not exceed 1 metre (39 inches) in width or in diameter when    measured between the widest points or the outside edge
• it is constructed of enclosed sides made from bricks, concrete blocks, heavy      gauge metal or other suitable non-combustible material
• it must be supervised at all times by a responsible adult person over the age of 18 until such time as the fire has been completely extinguished. For the purposes of this clause, a fire shall be deemed to include hot ashes and smoldering embers resulting from the fire.
•  it has a spark arrester mesh screen with openings no larger than 1.25 centimetres (.75 inch), constructed of expanded metal (or equivalent) to cover the fire pit opening in a manner sufficient to contain and reduce the hazard of airborne sparks
• only wood, charcoal briquettes, manufactured fire logs, fireplace pellets, propane or natural gas are used
• the flames do not exceed a height of 91 centimetres (3 feet) above the barbeque or fire pit

15. Illegal Fires
a)    Any Enforcement Officer or Member or Employee of the Town may extinguish an illegal fire using whatever apparatus or procedure, at his sole discretion, is deemed appropriate
b)    The costs of controlling or extinguishing any illegal fire shall be recovered from the person causing the illegal fire.

This past month your department has been kept busy with various emergencies as well as special training courses.

• Shortly after 11 pm on January 23 eleven members were called to an accident on Highway #12 east of RR 1-0. An eastbound tool truck had hit some loose snow along the ditch, veered across the westbound lane and flipped onto its side blocking both lanes of the highway. The driver was already out of the vehicle upon arrival, so the highway was kept closed until tow trucks could right the truck and tow it away. In the meantime, spilled oil and fuel was carefully cleaned up and the road cleared of debris.
• On February 23 at 8:30 pm a call was received stating smoke was seen coming from the new fire hall. Crews reported to the hall to see the building shrouded in an eerie fog which may have deceived the caller. An investigation was quickly conducted there as well as the old hall as a precaution. Fortunately, this turned out to be a false alarm.
• At 1:54 pm on February 7 the BFD were called to assist Lacombe Fire Department with a snowmobile accident at Woody Nook Road and Aspelund Road. Crews were stood down on route once Lacombe had the situation managed.
•  At 5:14 am on February 9 firefighters were sent to a 2-vehicle accident on Highway #20 and Aspelund Road. A southbound truck towing a trailer loaded with a skid steer had been hit from behind by a semi. Debris littered the highway so it was closed briefly while crews cleared the area. Both drivers were checked by EMS and fortunately no injuries were sustained.
• Midafternoon on February 14 crews were called to assist EMS at a residence in Bentley.

The Bentley Fire Department recently completed their Ice Rescue Certification, held on February 14 and 15, which took place at Sandy Point on Gull Lake. With a large portion of Gull Lake as well as Sylvan Lake falling within the Bentley District Fire Department response area it is important that we are prepared for all emergency situations that may arise, which could include ice/water responses.
Coincidently, within 2 hours of the ice rescue course ending, a call came in for a cold water rescue. Three people,
two of them children, reported being trapped in a vehicle in the ice near Gull Lake Village. Upon our arrival, it was discovered their SUV, which had left the ice road, had gotten stuck in some deep snow and not fallen through the ice as was reported.
 
If you are willing to risk traveling on our frozen lakes please ensure you are prepared for whatever may come your way. Some tow truck operators will not venture onto the ice to pull you out if you are stuck. We want nothing more than to have all our friends, neighbours, and visitors stay safe during their winter activities!

This past month your fire department has responded to several emergencies;

• In the early afternoon on December 21 crews were called to the scene of a horrific accident on a very icy Highway #20 just south of Rimbey. A northbound vehicle appeared to have lost control and struck a southbound one, trapping some occupants inside. Firefighters from Bentley and Rimbey worked to cut open the vehicles and carefully extricate the individuals. Injuries were severe and patients were sent by ambulance to hospitals in Rimbey and Red Deer, as well as by STARS to Calgary. Sadly, three people of the six involved succumbed to their injuries.
• At 10:50 pm on Christmas Day thirteen members responded to a call of alarms ringing at a rural residence on Centreview Road northwest of Bentley. Elevated levels of carbon monoxide were discovered so the homeowner was advised to leave the house unoccupied until gas and utilities were checked and the unknown cause repaired by a professional.
• On December 27 at 1:26 pm firefighters were called again to Highway #20 south of Rimbey where a northbound semi pulling a Frac unit had left the road and driven into the east side ditch, hitting two approaches then veering across the highway and going through a fence before coming to rest, well into a field, on the west side. Fortunately no one was driving south on the highway at the time. The driver refused medical treatment and BFD crews carefully managed traffic on the slippery road until cleanup was complete.
• And on January 10 at 7:05 am a call came in of a vehicle which was discovered overturned in the ditch on Highway #12 near Lakeview Campground. It appeared a westbound vehicle had run off the road and rolled into the ditch. The car was on its roof and no occupants were in or around the vehicle so the TIC (thermal imaging camera) was used to search the area. No one was found in the vicinity so the early morning traffic was delayed briefly while firefighters taped off the vehicle and then left the investigation in the hands of the RCMP.

This past month the fire department has been to only a few incidents:

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•      At 6:17 am on December 3rd ten firefighters were dispatched to Sandy Point where a brand-new park model home was on fire. Upon arrival, the house was completely engulfed with a large propane tank still venting. Lacombe Fire Department was called in to assist Bentley, but was stood down once the scene was under control. The department managed the blaze and protected the neighbouring house until the tank hazard was eliminated. The home was completely destroyed, but fortunately had not yet been occupied.
•      On December 8th at 8:16 am nine members responded to a single-vehicle rollover on Highway #20 north of Bentley. The southbound vehicle had left the slippery road and gone into the west ditch, flipping in the process. Traffic was carefully managed as the highway was extremely treacherous. The two patients were loaded and taken to Lacombe Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Special thanks to the passersby who were first on scene and stopped to help.
•      And on December 19th at about 5:30 am a call came in of an outside fire southeast of Bentley. No fire was found in the area the caller had described, so a search of the surrounding areas was organized. Thorough investigation turned up no fire, although the bright glow of a greenhouse operation on Gull Lake's east side may have alarmed the caller.
   

       This winter we urge you to drive with caution and be aware of your surroundings.
  No one wants to be involved in an accident and we all want to arrive safely at our destinations.
  ~
  We look forward to helping our community in 2015!  

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This past month your fire department has been sent to several calls:

•  At 6:48 pm on October 26, thirteen members responded to a call of smoke alarms ringing at a Bentley residence. The hallway smoke detector was activated as the homeowners cooking went awry.
• On October 31 at 10:22 in the morning, BFD crews raced to the scene of a motor vehicle accident on Highway #12 and RR 28-2 east of Bentley. A vehicle had left the road and hit an approach which deployed the airbags. The driver was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The vehicle was safely disabled and the area cleaned up. Thank you to the passersby who stopped to help.
• A call of an outside fire came in on November 1 at about 3 pm. Crews arrived at the  scene on Aspelund Road and RR 28-2 to find the land renter monitoring a controlled burn. This was left in the supervisor's care.
• On November 16 at 5:11 pm a call was received of a carbon monoxide alarm ringing at a Bentley home. Crews arrived at the house and detected elevated levels so ATCO Gas was notified. The scene was left in the care of the ATCO technician once it was deemed safe.
• Just a half-hour later that same evening the BFD was sent to a fire in the ditch on the south side of Highway #12 west of town. Upon arrival it was discovered a couch was ablaze. Crews doused the furniture and extinguished the burn. Unfortunately, the sofa didn't make it.
• And on November 17 at 1:06 pm, twelve members were called to a structure fire in Bentley. A detached garage was fully involved upon our arrival and firefighters quickly knocked the fire down to keep it from spreading to the adjacent house. Fortunately no one was injured.

This past month your fire department responded to a number of calls;

• At 5:09 pm on July 17 seven members were sent to a fire at Bentley's transfer station. It turned out to be a controlled burn in the pit and was ruled a false alarm.
• On July 27 in the early morning hours firefighters were sent to the scene of a single vehicle accident on Highway #20 just south of Highway #12. A southbound truck had left the road and run along the ditch for quite some distance before rolling and trapping the driver. The patient was freed and treated on scene until EMS arrived. Traffic was managed until the vehicle was removed.
• Around 8 pm that same evening the BFD was called to a possible structure fire on Highway #12 just west of Highway #20. Crews arrived to find an older model truck had just been started up and was belching plumes of black smoke.
• Early in the morning on July 29, seven members were sent to assist Lacombe Fire Department with a structure fire. Three homes were destroyed but the fire was kept from spreading further and fortunately no one was hurt. On the way back to the hall another call came in of an accident east of Bentley. A car had gone off the road and struck a power pole, rolling and ejecting the driver. The patient was cared for while awaiting EMS. STARS was called and met the ambulance at the Red Deer Hospital while fire crews cleaned up the scene.
• On August 4 at 10:01 am members went to a call of a CO alarm ringing at Sunbreaker Cove. The residents had evacuated the house and it was checked for elevated carbon monoxide levels. None were found and the source was not determined so the homeowners were given a new CO detector and advised to call their gas company for further investigation.  
• The BFD was called out to a mutual aid for a fire in Eckville on August 14. Members were later stood down as the incident was under control.
• On August 15 at 3:46 pm crews were dispatched to Bentley's transfer station where an individual had fallen into the trash compactor and landed on their head. The patient was carefully packaged and removed from the bin by firefighters and then sent by ambulance to the hospital for further evaluation.

     The Bentley District Fire Department would like to thank everyone involved in the 2014 rodeo weekend.
It was a privilege to be this year's theme and we appreciate your support of this dedicated group of volunteers.

                        Great job Bentley!

This past month the BFD has been very busy;

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• At 4:47 pm on June 17 members were called to a grassfire west of Highway #20 near Rimbey. A burn permit was in place but the fire was left unattended and had spread. Crews contained the fire while the landowner was contacted, given further instruction and was left to closely monitor it.
• On June 20 about suppertime eleven members responded to a call of alarms ringing at a Bentley residence. The homeowner was stuck in our road construction traffic and couldn't quite make it home in time to contact the alarm company before our crews arrived. A quick investigation was conducted before ruling it a false alarm.
• In the early morning hours of June 21 fourteen members raced to the scene of an ATV accident on RR 1-2 immediately north of Bentley. The driver had left the road and struck a power pole.  Firefighters administered CPR while awaiting EMS who continued this treatment. Unfortunately the patient succumbed to the injuries sustained.
• On June 25 at 10:52 am crews were called to a residence in Bentley where a patient was in need of medical assistance. Arriving at the same time as EMS, members helped safely package and load the patient into the waiting ambulance for transport to the hospital.
• At 10:04 am on June 26, firefighters were called to the Bentley High School after a report of alarms ringing. A heat detector was found to have been knocked loose, triggering the alarm.
• Ten BFD members were directed to another Bentley house on June 29, around suppertime. Alarms were ringing but the homeowners were simply cooking their dinner. A check was done and the all-clear was given.
• At 12:55pm on June 30, firefighters attended the scene of a 2-vehicle accident on Rainy Creek Road near RR 1-4. A tire from one truck had come off and struck the passenger side of the other. The occupants were uninjured and the BFD provided some minor hazmat and traffic control.
• Early in the morning on July 7, fourteen crew members were called to the Bentley Colony where a hog barn was on fire. Mutual aid was quickly called in from other departments; Lacombe, Blackfalds, Eckville and Sylvan Lake. With the hard work of 45 firefighters at its peak the fire was brought under control by 11:45 am The north barn was destroyed and about 4500 sows and piglets along with it, but the south barn was saved along with approximately 3,000 more pigs. Fire crews were released throughout the day, but Bentley remained on scene for over 14 hours. Many thanks to the colony and surrounding colonies for providing meals and drinks to hungry firefighters throughout the ordeal.
• And on July 10 at 4:07 pm the BFD received a call of a watercraft in distress on Sylvan Lake near Sunbreaker Cove. The 2 adults on board called 911 because their boat had run out of gas! Sylvan Lake RCMP as well as the BFD were both called out to the disillusioned boaters. Please keep in mind while enjoying yourselves on the water to keep the necessary equipment and safely items on board. Emergencies can happen in an instant!

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This past month the BFD has received an assortment of emergency calls:

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•  On May 29 firefighters were sent to a home in Bentley where the resident had suffered an apparent heart attack. Members performed CPR until paramedics arrived and continued the treatment.
•  In the late afternoon of June 8, ten members were called to a grassfire on Highway #20 near Aspelund Road. The landowner was burning several piles of livestock bedding. No burn permit had been issued and no one was monitoring the fires, so they were extinguished.
• Around suppertime on June 9th the BFD raced to the Lakeview campground boat launch where some individuals had been seen out in the water calling for help. Two family members were pulled from the lake by a fisherman and brought to shore where they were wrapped in blankets and taken into Bentley's Rescue truck to warm up. EMS arrived shortly thereafter and the patients were assessed and treated for minor hypothermia. Thank you to the witnesses and passersby who stayed to help and provide information.
•  Bentley's firefighters continue to train every week to stay prepared for whatever this world may throw their way . On May 26 we joined Lacombe Fire Department for a combined training night at the Woody Nook Church. As we depend on each others' help for mutual aid incidents, it is important to familiarize ourselves with the others' equipment and tactics. And having fun is strongly encouraged!

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INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING?
 
The Bentley District Fire Department is actively recruiting.
If you are interested click here to visit our recruiting page for more information.
We look forward to meeting you!

This has been a quiet spring so far with just 3 calls to report:

• Midafternoon on April 20 a call came in of a grassfire in the ditch of Highway #20 south of Centerview Road. BFD crews extinguished the fire and notified Fortis to check power poles in the affected area.
  
  
• On April 21 at 2:27 pm eight members responded to a call at a Bentley home. The resident informed the Fire Chief something had been cooking on the stove and had spilled over, triggering the alarm. A check was conducted and no fire was evident. 
  
  
• On the evening of May 1 eleven firefighters were sent to the Bentley Waste Transfer Station where a fire was burning in the burn pit. The controlled burn was being managed and was left in the care of the dump's supervisor.
  

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Your department has been keeping busy attending various training courses,
doing safety training at the hall, conducting hall tours and providing services in our
community. On May 14 we had some fun at Camp L.G. Barnes on Gull Lake
instructing counsellors on the proper use of fire extinguishers.
 

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We are also very pleased to introduce a new member of the BFD, Mr. Greg Holdstock. Welcome to the department Greg, we are happy to have you on board!

This past month your fire department has been called to four incidents; interestingly, all have been carbon monoxide alarms.

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• On March 26 at 10:16 pm eight members were called to a rural residence west of town where alarms were ringing. The homeowner stated the alarm went off right after he lit the wood pellet stove. Our gas detector did not register elevated levels of carbon monoxide or any other gas, but the homeowner was advised not to use the stove until he had it inspected.
   
• Shortly before noon on March 28 the BFD was sent to a Bentley residence where alarms were sounding. 3 residents evacuated while firefighters inspected the home. Nothing registered on the detector and the call was declared a false alarm.
   
• At 9:58 pm on March 29, ten members responded to a call east of Bentley. A residence reported carbon monoxide alarms going off. Although the call was in Lacombe's area, the LFD requested that Bentley continue to the residence. The home was inspected and no elevated CO levels were found. Upon Lacombe's arrival the Bentley Fire Department transferred command then cleared the scene.
   
• On April 2 about 12:15 pm seven members attended a call at another rural home west of Bentley on RR 3-0. Patients were in Rimbey EMS care upon Bentley's arrival so firefighters searched the house and recorded elevated CO levels. The house was ventilated and measures were taken to alleviate the suspected problem.

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This past month has been remarkably quiet with only two incidents to report;

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• 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.

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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!

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Firefighter Jeff Vert, Captain Al Bickford,
MP Blaine Calkins (in bunker gear)

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Firefighter Kathi Issler, MP Blaine Calkins,
Captain Al Bickford, Firefighter Pat Madden

This past month, the Bentley District Fire Department has been kept busy attending several incidents:

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• 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