CARNDUFF — The fire departments in this area of the province have a program called mutual aid. If one department is facing an emergency that requires more resources than it can offer, it will call on and receive help from another.
An emergency arose that called for help beyond the intent of mutual aid. A fire began in a ditch close to Weyakwin, a small hamlet approximately 100 kilometres south of La Ronge. The fire was labelled – DITCH02 Fire – and it quickly spread out of control.
Help was called for and several fire departments, including Carlyle Fire and Rescue responded. A truck was sent, along with two firefighters to man it.
In time, the firefighters became exhausted and it appeared like they would have to return to Carlyle, along with their truck. The department called upon their mutual aid partners. Two firefighters – Randy Spencer and Mike Pirie from RM No. 2 and Carnduff Fire and Rescue volunteered to go to the fire and relieve the overworked firefighters from Carlyle. This allowed the truck to remain at the fire and to be used.
Spencer and Pirie fought the fire for nine days before returning home to Carnduff.
On July 23, Carlyle Fire and Rescue presented RM No. 2 and Carnduff Fire and Rescue with a cheque for $25,000. It was a goodwill gesture and a token of appreciation for relieving their workers and enabling the truck to continue to be used at the site.
The donation will be used to build a training facility to further train and equip the firefighters of RM No. 2 and Carnduff Fire and Rescue. The facility will cost much more than what the donation covers, but it is a great start. A fundraiser is planned for the fall to raise the additional money required.
“We are really appreciative of this donation. We look forward to working with Carlyle Fire and Rescue in the future,” Spencer said.
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