Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority presented its 2022 year-end review to Bonnyville Town Council.
Regional Fire Chief Dan Heney says the year was full of accomplishments for the BRFA including opening two new fire halls in Fort Kent and Ardmore.
“We saw a new regional deputy hired, we saw a new division chief of EMS hired, we added a second-night shift chair to the 911 center due to the call volume, particularly in anticipation of bringing on the city of Cold Lake into answering their calls as well as dispatching their fire department and their CPO’s.”
Six new fire trucks were ordered, including a new tanker for the town, and a new mascot, Terry the Traumasaurus Rex, was also unveiled this year. A 19-month deal with AHS was reached to continue to be the local EMS provider.
The BFRA also won the RFP bid with the city of Cold Lake to answer all of their 911 calls and dispatch their fire department as well as dispatch and do some administrative services for their CPOs. Finally, three members of the BFRA were honored with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee medal for their service to the province.
The Fire Chief says the BRFA is very blessed when it comes to the support they receive from both the community and the municipality.
“I talk with my colleagues about the support that we receive from both our municipalities, and when I take a look at the advantages we have in being able to have service agreements with our industrial partners.”
Dan Heney says the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority is in a place where very small municipalities are.