CARLYLE - This past weekend, in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Volunteer Fire Fighter’s Association, Carlyle & RM 63 Fire and Rescue held a successful training school.
The event kicked off Friday, and both Saturday and Sunday overflowing with activities.
Fire Chief Don VanMeer was pleased with how the SVFFA training went.
“Because we had to cancel the training school a week earlier due to the storm, attendance was somewhat lower than we liked. In saying that, we still had 148 firefighters register from all over the province and from as far away as La Ronge. Together with the 20 or so instructors and our own hometown crew, we had nearly 200 participate.”
Over the course of the weekend, there were 12 training seminars offered. These included orientation and safety, Level 1 and 2 firefighting training, structural search and rescue, forceable entry, vehicle extraction and heavy rescue. There was in class training at the Gordon F. Kells High School. Outdoor training was conducted at the Carlyle Sports Arena and the RM of Moose Mountain site, and adjacent to the fire hall.
There were plenty of activities on Saturday. That morning, the RM of Moose Mountain hosted a pancake breakfast. At noon, the Carlyle and District Lions Club served smokies and salads at the Sports Arena. On the arena floor, there were eight vendors featuring fire prevention products and services.
That night, the firefighters held their banquet with a delicious roast beef supper catered by Rylan and Cindy Weir. Head table dignitaries were formerly piped in by local resident Regan Miller. Speeches were made by representatives of the SVFFA, the Town of Carlyle, and the RM of Moose Mountain. Fire Chief VanMeer thanked all those who attended.
Saturday night was capped off with live entertainment provided by Big Time Gameshows of Weyburn. Brothers and co-owners Preston and Richy Roy selected contestants from the audience who participated in a Family Feud type event. A great time was had by all.
Both classroom and outside training was again offered Sunday morning with the event concluding at noon with a hamburger barbecue at the newly constructed Carlyle Fire Hall.
“I heard nothing but compliments about how the entire event went all weekend long,” said fire department chairman Jack Wilson. “Everyone raved about the town, the facilities and how organized the weekend was. A feather in our cap for the local fire department and the town and RM.”
Marc Poirier is the front desk supervisor of the Ramada Hotel.
“Despite having to cancel their rooms the previous weekend because of the storm, we were totally filled this past Friday and Saturday. This event was greatly appreciated by the Ramada Hotel.”
Concluded VanMeer: “We were very pleased to be able to host this event and were happy how everything went. A big thank-you to the RM, Town of Carlyle, Lions Club, high school, and Rylan and Cindy Weir. I also wish to thank the Redvers and Manor Fire Departments for their assistance along with Red Coat Mutual Aid.
To the individual and business donators and to the many people I might have missed, thank-you. We were proud to showcase our new fire hall to the many people in attendance and good memories of Carlyle will be etched into the minds of everyone forever.”
