Bow Island Fire Department receives generous donation, will build new training facility

Posted on August 20, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

The Bow Island Fire Department, which includes Forty Mile Fire Service Station, has been selected as the recipient of a generous donation that will strengthen its training capabilities and deepen its support for the community it serves.

The funds were made possible through an anonymous donor and facilitated by the Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta, whose partnership brought the gift to life. The department has expressed its heartfelt gratitude for the contribution, which will have a lasting impact on both firefighters, students, and residents across Bow Island and the surrounding area.

A First-of-Its-Kind Facility 

“The donation will be used to build a training tower out of sea cans (shipping containers) for us to practice in,” says Bill Veilleux, Fire Chief, Forty Mile Fire Service Station. “We have not had this type of training facility here before. Until now, we have had to travel around Alberta to different facilities.”

Open to the Wider Community 

The benefits of the facility will reach well beyond the local fire service.

“In addition to our fire station, this facility will be open for other organizations to use as well,” Veilleux explains. “For example, we are heavily involved with the South Alberta Fire Rescue Academy through Prairie Rose Public Schools. So, their students will be able to train here too.”

Gratitude for Ongoing Support 

The department is quick to thank everyone who has helped make this achievement possible.

“We would like to thank the entire community for the awesome support they give us,” Veilleux concludes. “Over the years, that support has helped us build our fire department into what it is today.”