Fire crews responded to five structure fires in March, including this blaze at a home in the South Ridge area on March 22. Crews quickly doused the flames in less than five minutes.--HANDOUT PHOTO
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com
Medicine Hat firefighters responded to five structure fires and 15 outdoor fires throughout March that included a blaze in an upper apartment suite in the Silver Buckle building.
In the early morning hours of March 16 firefighters responded to a three-alarm blaze in an upper-floor suite that sent one person to hospital with unknown injuries.
Crews from all three city stations were able to extinguish the fire that did not cause damage to the rest of the sports bar.
On March 22, firefighters from all three city stations responded to a residential fire in the South Ridge area that was quickly brought under control in less than five minutes. No injuries were reported.
Fire crews also responded to 60 fire alarm calls, 14 motor vehicle accidents and more than 30 medical calls last month.
Additionally the department received 22 related calls on carbon monoxide and other gases.
On March 11, fire chief Chad Eakin presented last year’s review report to members of council and city staff that highlighted local firefighters, on average, responded to calls five seconds sooner than their target time, which is already several minutes below the provincial average response time for calls in communities of similar size.
Crews were also on hand at the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce trade show.
Earlier this month firefighters invited members of the Tigers to visit the station and participate in Hazmat and confined space exercise training.
On March 25, deputy chief Douglas Gill spoke to more than 80 students at Medicine Hat College during the Headstrong Summit about healthy coping strategies and support systems.
Additionally, the fire services education team visited REDI Enterprises Society to talk about safe cooking tips and the importance of working smoke alarms.
We are lucky to have such a well trained dedicated team of professional Firefighters here in Medicine Hat that love the City and look out for the good of our citizens. Thank you to the fire department
We are lucky to have such a well trained dedicated team of professional Firefighters here in Medicine Hat that love the City and look out for the good of our citizens. Thank you to the fire department