Carlyle Fire and Rescue's third annual Raise the Roof Golf Tournament not only raised much-needed funds; it also raised awareness regarding the role of the volunteer department within the area it serves.
Held at Carlyle Golf Club, the Aug.17 tournament featured displays of trucks, rescue units and other life-saving equipment. Golfers tackled the first tee wearing a firefighter's helmet and jacket, as well as testing their knowledge of Carlyle Fire & Rescue's functions throughout the day. The tournament's first place finishers were Ivon Irving, Al Chalmers, Ryan Carrier and Jake Pruys of the Â鶹ÊÓƵeast Electric Rescuers. Coming in second was the Sunrise Aviaton team, made up of Ken Gill, John Erickson, Dennis Feduk and Perry Pyett. Rounding out the top three teams were Brad Hutton, Wes Mailin and Rob Klassen of Redvers Fire.
Fire Chief Trent Lee says that although Carlyle Fire and Rescue is responsible for fire suppression within R.M. 63, "We don't just do fires anymore."
"We do anything rescue in a wide area that includes Manor, Arcola, Kisbey, White Bear and Kenosee Lake, " he says, adding that a rescue situation can involve the use of the jaws of life, cold water rescue equipment or a snowmobile/ATV rescue sled.
Lee says, "It's not just fighting fires anymore. Sadly, we've responded to four fatalities.We've also responded to a plane crash, accidents with trains and vehicles; motorcycle, snowmobile, quad, semi-truck, car and truck accidents. We've dealt with accidents involving every type of motorized vehicle except a tractor."
"We've done cold-water rescue calls, medical assist calls. When there was a tornado a few years ago, we were first on the scene, dealing with downed power lines and making sure people were okay and of course, we were out during this year's floods."
In his seven years as fire chief, Lee has seen a lot of action and has witnessed rapid change in the area the department covers. "When I first started, we had a lot of grass fires and a few accidents. Now, we deal mostly with accidents and pretty large structure fires."
"We received about 80 calls last year, averaging about one call every four or five days. They usually come in from around midnight to 7 a.m. When we're responding to calls, we don't use our sirens until we're out of town, so maybe people don't realize the number of calls we do."
Lee also says that the number of semi-trucks passing through the area are another reason for Carlyle Fire and Rescue to progress and be proactive. "If you look at the semis going through and what some of them are carrying, it concerns me that we don't have the equipment for hazmat [hazardous materials] activity."
"This area has grown tremendously in the last few years. We weren't in the position to spend the money and get fully caught up. I don't expect to be caught up right away, but I would like to see us trained to a national standard."
None of this comes cheap, says Lee. However, he says, "Our fire hall is full of equipment, most of it is bought and paid for by pancake breakfasts and by our own fundraising. We have a fantastic assortment of equipment. We're one of the best-outfitted volunteer fire departments in the area. Mostly, we find a way to purchase without costing the taxpayer any money."
"We have some great supporters, some who have been with us from the start. Spearing Service donated a water tank to us, Merit Ford and Artisan Consulting have always been there and when we're out on a call, A&W always sends us food. We really appreciate our tournament sponsors, too. We're a non-profit organization and everything is expensive for us."
Lee says Carlyle Fire and Rescue aims to maximize every dollar they are given. "We've renovated our building, we've built and modified equipment. We fundraise and in some cases, provide equipment out of our own pockets."
'For example, we have three rescue suits and all three of them are floatation suits. During one rescue, three of us are in the water, taking turns holding each other down, so we can get underwater to break the window and get the guy out. I thought to myself: 'If this ever happens again.' So I spent $6,000 out of my own pocket for scuba gear and training for [future] cold water rescues."
"I have a $10,000 annual equipment budget. I can dress two firefighters at $5,600 each in a turnout helmet, boots and clothing. That doesn't include the gear they'd need to enter a building."
Proceeds from this year's event will go towards raising funds for a much-needed meeting and training facility, says Lee. "Our current building, the old Department of Highways building (207-7 St. West) is full, bumper-to-bumper, with our equipment. We fundraised for it ourselves, we fixed it ourselves, but there is no room to train in it. To be properly trained, firefighters not only have to have classroom training, where they go through books, watch videos, write exams; they also have to do hands-on training. We have to have hands-on training with our equipment. We have to use ladders and do practices."
"The way things are now, we would have to move the rescue vehicles and equipment out of the building, to even make room to seat the firefighters. Even if that was feasible, the noise from the heater and the compressor inside the building make it too noisy to hear anything," says Lee. "Some people have asked us why we don't take our training to another facility, but it really is critical that we have hands-on instruction and practice with our equipment."
Lee adds that both rescue training and equipment are increasingly complex and expensive. "The training that is now required is very expensive. We want to be well-equipped to handle anything that comes our way. Most of us have other jobs, too, so we don't want to waste time or money."
In addition to financial support, Lee is also looking for more volunteers at Carlyle Fire & Rescue. "Our department needs people, but they're no good to me if we can't properly train them. Right now, I have about 10 volunteers that I can rely on to be available. Most of our calls come between the hours of midnight to 7am. A lot of our people work out of town and can be pretty far away during the day. Monday through Friday, we have two members that are working in the town of Carlyle. To me, that's scary. I'd like to change that."
Even though they may be far away from a call, Lee says Carlyle Fire & Rescue members "will go above and beyond."
"This winter, we had some nasty blizzards. There was an accident and I remember it taking me an hour to drive seven miles. I had my head out the window, watching for the ditch, because there was zero visibility. There's a raging blizzard, you're hoping you can get to the fire hall. And I'm not the only one. When we get there, we'll shovel our way out if we have to."
"On another winter call, a few years ago, there was another blizzard. I remember standing between the two houses with the hose line, trying to keep the next house from fire. After that one, the guys took the torch to my jacket to get it off. I was like a mummy, my jacket was frozen."
In spite of the job's physical, mental and emotional demands, Lee stresses, "You don't have to be a 20-year-old athlete to join the team. There are so many positions, we'll find something for a volunteer to do."
In his first year serving as president of the Saskatchewan Fire Chiefs, Lee says that Carlyle Fire & Rescue "is a professional fire department. We're volunteers and we're highly-trained. I'd put us head-to-head with any department in the city. We're very proud of what we do and we want to give the residents of this area and anybody who comes through the best service and protection that can be achieved."
Carlyle Fire & Rescue are already planning next year's fundraiser-a lobster supper- to be held in early spring or summer. To volunteer, to donate or to learn more about Carlyle Fire and Rescue, contact Trent Lee at [email protected] or by calling (306)-575-8758. Carlyle Fire & Rescue can also be found on Facebook.
