Current Temperature

-3.2°C

March 29, 2024 March 29, 2024

Foremost fire station in need of volunteer members

Posted on September 11, 2019 by 40 Mile Commentator

By Justin Seward

Commentator/Courier

The Foremost Fire Department is in need of volunteer firefighters after seeing their members dwindling over the last number of years.
“If this continues without new volunteers, the department will soon not be able to offer a level of service the community has been accustomed to and possibly be shut down,” said Foremost fire chief Boyd Granberg in a letter that was sent out on Aug. 29 in the local residents’ utility bills.
Granberg spoke more in depth to the Commentator last week about the situation.
“I’d say for the last two to three years,” said Granberg of the struggle of getting volunteer members to join.
“The last year has been the worst I guess because we’ve had some people move away from the community and (it is) just kind of tough to get anyone else to join up because everyone is busy with their family.”
The department has been whittled down to seven members from 13 which would be considered a full fire hall in Foremost.
“It’s been more difficult because not everybody is around when there’s a fire,” said Granberg.
“Sometimes it’s hard for us to respond. We’ve been to some calls where there has only been two from Foremost and we’ve had to call for assistance from a neighbouring department.”
Granberg says if the department got down to four members that a fire or accident could not be attended to safely.
The Foremost Fire Department serves the village and the County of Forty Mile and are working collaboratively with municipalities to attract people.
“The biggest thing is if you join the fire department, if there isn’t something for you, say if you don’t want to help out in an accident scene or you’re not good with blood, we’ll put you on traffic,” said Granberg.
“We always find a spot. If they us know they’re not comfortable doing something then we try to find them spot where they’re helping out.”
Training is free and is offered through the Foremost Fire Department.
Interested volunteer members can contact Granberg at (403) 952-8773.

Leave a Reply

Get More Bow Island Commentator
Log In To Comment Latest Paper Subscribe