Each October, fire departments across the province adopt messaging with aims to reduce dangerous incidents during Fire Prevention Week. This year, that message is Don’t Wait, Check the Date – an important reminder for residents to ensure smoke detectors are properly functioning.
Here at the Airdrie City View, we take Fire Prevention Week as an opportunity to recognize the firefighters across the county who keep us safe (see section on pages 32 to 35).
This year was a particularly strong reminder that firefighters across the country do invaluable work on a daily basis. When Fort McMurray was decimated by wildfires, Alberta’s firefighters quickly responded – putting themselves into harm’s way and doing all they could to contain a situation, which could have quickly grown much worse.
Airdrie firefighters and police were among those who didn’t hesitate when the call for more officers went out. The Airdrie Fire Department sent one fire truck and four firefighters to help those on the ground.
The prevailing sentiment we heard from local firefighters was they were willing and able to help those in need. Though it was difficult and devastating for those in Fort McMurray, the community spirit and resilience so prevalant among Albertans is what many will remember from that time.
So to our local firefighters and to those who fight fires across the province, we offer a very heartfelt thank-you.
Though the crisis in Fort McMurray was unanticipated, it’s comforting to know the selflessness and courage exhibited by our firefighters is simply routine.
