Dear Editor
According to the a story in the Jan. 6 edition of the Saskatoon StarPhoenixthere was $26,000,000 allotted to 600 reserves across Canada to support the operation and maintenance of firefighting equipment and training. This works out to an average of $43,333 per reserve.
I was fire chief for the Mayfield Fire Department for approximately 12 years. Costs to maintain this fire department were $4,500 to $8,000 per year. The 20 to 25 volunteers fought fires, attended fire practices, went to fire schools and took St. John Ambulance courses at their own expense. The Fire Hall was built and the fire truck and pump maintained by volunteer labour. The fire department paid for the pump to be worked on once, otherwise everything was volunteer.
Residents on the reserves should start asking where the fire grant is being used. Some chiefs and tribal councils do not like financial transparency because they like to misappropriate funds where they want. Most honest chiefs should disclose the amount of the grant and what it is used for.
Most homes are completely consumed by fire within 10 minutes. This is why firefighting equipment and volunteers need to be on the reserves. Firefighting is a dangerous business, therefore, the volunteers must be continually well-trained and dedicated. Gordon Dykstra
North Battleford
