This past month your fire department has been called out to eight emergencies:
- On September 19 at 1:01 am ten members responded to an alarms ringing call in Sunbreaker Cove on Sylvan Lake. This was called in by the alarm company. The detector was sounding, but no smoke or fire was visible upon arrival so an investigation was conducted using the TIC. All rooms in the unoccupied home were thoroughly checked before deeming this a false alarm and clearing the scene.
- At 8:16 am on September 22 eight members were sent to an outside fire at the Sandy Point resort area. A concerned passerby reported seeing smoke in the area, so firefighters quickly investigated what turned out to be a monitored controlled burn of two large brush piles with a burn permit in place.
- At 2:04 pm that same day members responded to a gas leak call outside a Bentley residence in the southeast area of town. An unmarked idle line had accidentally been torn out of the ground by a construction crew. No one was at home in the closest house, but all residents in neighbouring houses were informed and evacuated. The surrounding roadways were cordoned off and ATCO was called in to rectify the situation, while firefighters helped them gain access to the area they requested, monitored the air quality and remained on scene until all danger of fire or explosion was past.
- On October 3 at 8:01 pm a call came in of a vehicle fire at a rural residence south of Bentley. A tractor was reportedly on fire and threatening nearby buildings. Lacombe Fire Department was immediately called in to help, then were stood down upon Bentley's arrival on the scene, which showed the landowners had gotten the fire well under control. Members doused the area to prevent any re-kindles then cleared the scene.
- Late in the afternoon on October 9 seven crews were sent to a Mutual Aid call to help Lacombe with a structure fire. A shed was fully involved and Engine and Tender were requested. Engine was stood down en route, but Tender attended the scene and was released once the situation was under control.
- On October 15 at 6:40 pm twelve firefighters raced to Highway #20 and Aspelund Road where two vehicles had collided at high speed in the intersection. Both vehicles ended up in the southwest ditch and three occupants in one vehicle were trapped and had to be cut free. None of those involved appeared to be critically injured, but all were taken by ambulances to hospital. Sadly a dog in one vehicle was ejected during the crash and the much-loved family pet died at the scene.
- And at 12:28 pm on October 8 crews were dispatched to a call of a structure fire at the Bentley Care Centre. Lacombe Fire was called in as Mutual Aid as a fire in this size of building could be disastrous without adequate manpower. Residents were enjoying their lunch in the dining room when the smoke alarm sounded. Staff went into the kitchen and discovered a very strong gas odour and a hazy environment, so 911 was called and evacuation was promptly initiated. All residents and staff were safely out when firefighters arrived, so they were quickly interviewed then sent to keep safe at the Bentley Elementary School. Kudos to the quick efforts by the staff who practice these emergency measures on a regular basis, well done! ATCO and maintenance workers who service the kitchen appliances were called in to investigate the possible cause and once their investigation was complete the occupants were able to return.