BATTLEFORD — Fire Chief Larry Gabuch reported to Battleford town council at their Jan. 9 meeting, that, according to the Battleford fire department’s annual report, 2022 was a relatively quiet year compared to others.
“As it relates to community, there was really nothing above our 10-year average other than accidents,” Garbuch said, noting that it isn’t necessarily residents, as a lot of traffic comes through the town’s urban connector.
One highlight of the report is a newly implemented policy that could save the town close to $10,000 a year by waiting to respond to possible false alarms. Upon receiving an automated alarm, the dispatchers will inform Garbuch or one of his deputies. The department will then wait until after the alarm company has made an effort to contact the key holder.
Garbuch said that many things can cause false alarms from old systems, dust in smoke alarms or an accidental triggering of the alarm by the owner.
“It’s saved four calls since we’ve initiated (the policy),” he said.
Garbuch notes that it’s very similar to the RCMP’s policy surrounding false alarms.
“(False alarms) are really quite aggravating. Our volunteers don’t mind responding, but it is a waste of time,” Garbuch said, adding that in the past 30 days since the implementation of the policy, one false alarm has been avoided in the RM of Battle River, which Battleford provides service to
“That’s fantastic,” responded Councillor Doug Laing. “The volunteers getting false alarms during the day and during work puts a lot of different careers at stake, Cost-wise and resource-wise; it’s great. I appreciate you guys all the time.”
Wildfires were also down in 2022, with Garbuch reminding people there was no fire ban last spring, although they were within a day of implementing one.
“We’re really lucky. The RM of Battle River is really responsible, both on acreages and farms, being tenants of the land, and understanding what can happen,” Garbuch said, speaking to the responsibility of land owners.
“Thank you to the his and hers and the chief for taking care of us,” Councillor David George said.
