Fire chiefs and deputies from across the Special Areas gathered for their annual regional fire chief meeting at the end of November.
This year the annual meeting was hosted in Youngstown, Alta. with chiefs and deputy chiefs from all 14 departments attending.
These departments are made up of over 225 volunteer firefighters and provide emergency services to over five million acres.
The group discussed some of the trends they are seeing, including a need for more specialized training for local volunteer firefighters.
“Our volunteer firefighters are dedicated to helping their communities,” said Rob Palmer, Special Areas Fire Chief, “and to making sure they are giving the best possible service when they are responding”.
“The focus over the past few years on providing economical and accessible training is helping local firefighters access the training they need to serve the public right here in the Special Areas.
“Our regional training group is a big part of making sure our volunteer firefighters have access to the right training and equipment at a relatively low cost, including the more advanced training we are getting into.”
Another big part of the annual event was the chance to recognize some of the long-serving volunteer firefighters through long-service awards.

The Special Areas annual regional fire chief meeting recently hosted a presentation of long service awards. From the left, Special Areas Deputy Fire Chief Kyle Rohl, Jim Faubion, fire chief, Homestead Coulee, Kari-Ann Faubion, firefighter Homestead Coulee, and Special Areas Fire Chief Rob Palmer. ECA Review/Submitted
by Maeghan Chostner, Communications Officer