Bow Island Fire Department seeks items to refresh training smoke house

Posted on October 31, 2024 by Ryan Dahlman

– Do you have furniture to donate? Here is how it can go to a great cause!

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

Bow Island Fire Department is reaching out to the community with an important request. They are in need of furniture donations to enhance the realism of their smoke house training environment.

Fire Chief Blaine O’Donnell explains, “The house we use for our members for search and rescue training is filled with smoke. Furniture makes it more realistic. However, the current furniture is played out. We are looking for a new chesterfield and other such items.” 

It’s all about creating a training environment that accurately simulates the conditions firefighters might face in a real emergency.

The department is seeking items such as small kitchen sets, living room, and bedroom furniture, as well as general household pieces. Additionally, they need door locks and handles for forcible entry practice, which is a vital component of firefighter training. If you have anything you can contribute, you’re encouraged to contact the firehouse directly or visit their Facebook page for more details (https://www.facebook.com/BowIslandEmergencyServices/).

In a related community update, the Bow Island Fire Department has announced the cancellation of their annual haunted house event due to a shortage of volunteers. While this popular event will be missed, the firefighters are ensuring that the Halloween spirit remains alive by distributing candy from a fire truck by the LDS church on Halloween evening. 

By responding to this call for donations, community members not only support the Bow Island Fire Department but also contribute to the safety and well-being of the entire area. Every piece of furniture helps create a more realistic training scenario, ultimately preparing firefighters for the challenges they may encounter while protecting our community.