Estevan's health, safety and rescue capabilities took a positive step forward last Thursday when Estevan Fire Rescue Chief Rick Tocker and deputy Chief Dale Feser accepted a cheque from Enbridge Pipelines (Sask.) Inc. in the amount of $10,000 for the purchase of a hazardous material decontamination shower unit.
Making the presentation were Enbridge employee Doug Deren who is also an Estevan Fire Rescue team captain with specialized training in hazardous material rescue operations and Rick Davidge, Enbridge's safety co-ordinator in the southeast area of Saskatchewan.
"The money comes from our company's Safe Communities Program," said Davidge.
The funds are specifically earmarked for local emergency responders who provide those services in regions where Enbridge has a significant presence and groups of employees.
Deren, and Feser have already received specific training in dealing with hazardous materials scenarios.
Tocker said that when the local department heard about the Enbridge program, they made an application for the funding and then followed the process that led them to the cheque presentation ceremony at the Enbridge offices on Kensington Avenue last week.
The 6' x 6' x 8' decontamination unit will feature eight nozzles that will allow rescuers to quickly make victims safe for transportation after they have become exposed to hazardous materials such as toxic chemicals.
"I hope we never have to use it, but it will be there and we have people who know how to use it, if it is ever needed," said Tocker.
The men said that with the volume of oil field and mining related trucking going on in this corner of the province, the hazardous material incident odds are increasing.
"With all the chemical trucks moving around, and the trains that run through here with chemicals on board, it'll be good to have this unit," said Feser. "We'll have the capability of decontaminating a victim if it's needed before they're removed from the scene. You can't transport them if they're contaminated because then you'd have a contaminated ambulance and a contaminated reception area when they arrived at the hospital or health centre."
The Hazmat unit, as it's referred to, will eliminate victim risk factors. It can also be used to decontaminate the rescuers.
"It's a huge advantage if we ever end up having a situation like that come about," said Feser.
Deren said he saw the advantages in taking the advanced emergency services technician level courses as a fire rescue team member as well as through his employment with Enbridge. He and Feser can now train others within the department.
Tocker said there may not be a firm policy in place regarding the provision of a decontamination service to neighbouring rescue teams, but he stated that "if we can help save a life, anywhere in the area, of course we go. No question."
Davidge said Enbridge has contributed to other fire and rescue service teams throughout the southeast sector to help them purchase necessary equipment and materials that assist them in providing more efficiency in their life-saving duties.
Tocker said that when the decontamination shower unit arrives, the department will probably hold some level of an open house that will help unveil it to the public. It will give the department an opportunity to explain even more thoroughly the various levels of fire fighting and rescue operations that can be handled in Estevan and the immediate area.
