By TERRY PUGH
Residents of the Merrill Hills-Moon Lake district of Corman Park south of Saskatoon are taking steps to help their community be better prepared for wildfires in their area.
An informal fire protection group was formed in the area at a meeting in mid-August. The goal of the organization is to have some essential emergency equipment available at a central, secure location to allow responders quick access, and also to assist certified fire departments if required.
As a result of the meeting, the group launched a campaign to raise awareness among residents about how to protect their properties and the importance of calling 911 immediately when a fire breaks out. A phone tree to alert others in the group was also set up.
The RM of Corman Park contracts with the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) for firefighting services in the area south of Saskatoon. The Delisle and District Fire Deparment is sometimes called in to provide assistance to the SFD when needed.
At the Merrill-Moon Lake residents’ meeting in August, volunteers formed a committee to raise funds to purchase equipment, including pumps, hoses and other gear. They also intend to buy a storage container (sea-can) that can be securely locked and placed in a central location. The group already has some equipment, including water tanks, sprinklers and trailers; however, upgrades are needed for several pieces.
Merrill-Moon Lake firefighting committee spokesperson Ed Keindel, an area resident with practical experience helping to fight fires, said the issue is becoming a greater concern as the population increases. More residential homes on acreages are being built in amongst the existing farms; and much of the area is covered with sandy soil and dense bush that makes it difficult for firefighting vehicles to access.
Keindel made a request to the RM of Corman Park council meeting on Tuesday, September 23 for a donation of $3,000 for the group to purchase a sea-can to store equipment.
“Right now we have equipment stored in four different locations,” said Keindel. “We’re organizing the equipment by colour-coding it, so that people can easily identify what’s needed and bring it quickly to the site.”
A motion to grant the request was passed by councillors at the meeting following a brief discussion.
Division 3 Councillor David Greenwood pointed out to council that the group is currently raising funds on its own, and the $3,000 request represented the “residual” amount needed to purchase the sea-can.
Several area businesses have contributed substantial donations to the Merrill Hills-Moon Lake committee to help with the fire preparedness campaign. A fundraising event is slated at the Merrill Dunes Paintball and Laser Tag facility on Sunday, October 19. George Manning, owner of the business, said he believes public awareness on the issue is important. Full details of the fundraiser are available online at www.merrilldunes.ca.
During the September 23 council meeting, Corman Park Reeve Joe Hargrave asked Keindel whether the volunteers in the group are receiving training in wildland firefighting.
Keindel replied that at present, they do not have any training, but they are looking to initiate discussions with the Delisle and District Fire Department on possible arrangements regarding instruction and guidance.
Hargrave said he was glad to hear that committee volunteers will receive some training.
Paid on-call fire departments, including Delisle, Warman, Martensville, Langham, Dalmeny, Osler and others, provide professional-level training to their member recruits.