Humboldt is unique when it comes to its emergency services working together.
And nothing shows that more than the 10th annual Humboldt Emergency Services Charity Event on Feb. 6.
All emergency services; RCMP, EMS, and Fire, come together to raise money for worthy causes all across the city.
Humboldt Fire Chief, Mike Kwasnica, was first to introduce his team of volunteer firefighters and hand out years of services pins for the years of service. Kwasnica himself has been on the department for 15 years and he says they have been working towards working together since he started.
“They’ve said it a couple of times tonight that emergency services don’t always work this well together...this is something you don’t see across the province.”
Fire Commissioner, Duane McKay, says he saw this same camaraderie a number of years ago when he was invited to the event. He had to come back the next year to see if he came on a fluke year.
“I’m fully convinced that this community regardless of any small glips that occur as they normally do, whether it is the RCMP, the EMS, or the fire service, they work together in a unique way that is an excellent example to the rest of the province.”
Staff Sergeant, Phil Wilson, says that an event like this also shows off how community orientated the emergency services are and how they are working together to fundraise for the community.
“If we need something from the fireman, Mike (Kwansnica) or Darrell (Wickenhauser) are ready, willing, and able to help to get someone to give a hand. Same with the ambulance. It’s the spirit of cooperation all the way around.”
Wilson says that other larger communities have more distances between departments simply because the departments are so large, they do not get to know each other as well.
Advance Care Paramedic and Humboldt EMS Supervisor, Derek Dagenais, introduced his team of 13 paramedics that service Humboldt and surrounding area.
This is one time a year that members of his team, as well as the Fire Department and RCMP get to spend some social time together, says Dagenais. All three emergency teams brought in members from outlying departments so the teams could relax with a night off together.
Years of communication and building relationships has ensured that these teams can work together, says Dagenais.
“Sometimes there can be a little bit of tension between different groups, we don’t have that in Humboldt.”
All the years of fire service added up to about 375 years of experience on the Humboldt Fire Department. Kwasnica says they go to a lot of conferences where other fire departments discuss their problems with retention and recruitment.
They just do not have that problem here, says Kwasnica.
“We have a lineup of people to join and when they do join, they’re committed for the long haul.”
This was also the night that the 2015 Firefighter of the Year was awarded to firefighter Jason Staniec. Kwasnica says that Staniec is always coming up with ideas.
“If he’s not working at the fire hall with something, he’s always sending me texts or emails about something to do with firefighting, how to improve what we’re doing, how to come up with a better idea.”
Sheri Hinz, was also at the event to give out the 2015 Ambassador for Safety awards on behalf of Safe Communities.
Many local businesses and volunteers, including members of the Humboldt Emergency Services, play a big part of Safe Communities events, like their Bike Rodeo, Progressive Agriculture Safety Days, and PARTY program.
Norbert LaBlanc was awarded the Individual Volunteerism by Hinz because of his work as chairperson of the Safe Communities Advisory Committee, being a presenter of Safe Communities events, as well as his notable 33 years as a firefighter.
The Community Service Partner award was given to Prairieland Motorsports, Kevin and Gwen Therres. Hinz says their passion for educating their audience makes them a crowd favourite at Progressive Agriculture Safety Days and PARTY Program.
The Business Partner award went to Farm Credit Canada for their consistent investment in Progressive Agriculture Safety Day since 2011 and their advocacy towards agricultural safety.
The night was also a great fundraiser for local causes dedicated to youth.
Money from previous events have gone to a couple of youth based causes in the city, including the skate park, spray park, playgrounds, minor sports uniforms, speed signs for the school zones, and they are always looking for new places to put the money that will make the community better, says Kwasnica.
