Stettler in hot pursuit of more firefighters RICHARD FROESE Independent reporter
RICHARD FROESE/Independent reporter
Stettler Deputy Fire Chief Etienne Brugman said more firefighters are needed “to help divide the workload.”
Stettler Regional Fire Department needs volunteer firefighters to bolster the crews of fire stations in the county. “We need a minimum 15 firefighters per station,” Chief Mark Dennis said. “We are already recruiting for all stations, especially Donalda.” Firefighters are also needed for the main Stettler hall and stations in Big Valley and Byemoor. “This something we will continue to do every year in order to maintain adequate levels of firefighters and service,” Dennis said. Regional fire officials are seeking volunteers, male and female, aged 18 years and older, to join the force. “We need a higher number of firefighters to help divide the workload,” Deputy Fire Chief Etienne Brugman said. “We have some volunteer firefighters
who have served for 10 to 15 years and may want to move on.” If a sufficient number of new firefighters isn’t recruited, it will put more work on the current volunteers, Brugman said. While it takes about one year to train a new firefighter, the transition also helps the veterans, who are trained regularly. The first year introduces new volunteers to roles, techniques and theory about the various situations firefighters face at calls, Brugman said. Firefighters extinguish fires, extricate victims from motor vehicles, handle dangerous goods, conduct rescues from confined areas, high angles and water, and operate equipment and vehicles. Regular training is presented three times a month at the Stettler fire station, with monthly sessions at the other locations. All firefighters are invited to any training session in the department. For more information, phone the Town of Stettler at 403-742-8305 or the County of Stettler at 403-742-4441.
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Clearview studies budget, transportation arrangements LES STULBERG
before September.
Independent reporter After months of debate and discussion about the 2013-14 budget, Clearview trustees approved the second draft of the spring projection budget. At its board meeting last Tuesday, trustees voted 4-3 in favour of the second of two options presented by administration for consideration. The proposed budget will be discussed with the principals before being posted on the website for public feedback from April 30 to May 15. Because staffing is a site-based decision, principals would determine what staff reductions might be necessary, said Clearview chairman Ken Checkel. He said some schools have made staff reductions in the past few years to make adjustment to declining enrolments, while other schools still need to do so. The budget talks go back before the board for final approval before being sent to the provincial government May 31. Busing agreement The Clearview board met with their East Central Catholic Schools counterparts in a closed-session discussion on an agreement to amalgamate the two transportation systems. Checkel said the meeting was “positive.” He said his board had a few more questions that needed answers and the senior administration of the two boards would work on those. “There is a commitment on both sides to figure out something — it doesn’t make sense to run two bus systems in the same area,” Checkel said. He said the goal was to have an agreement in place
School recognition Clearview recognized the Byemoor School’s Heritage Fair as part of its “celebration presentation” program that showcases “good things happening” in Clearview schools. Byemoor principal Corey van Zandbergen showed a slide presentation to the board of the projects of the April 11 fair. Students researched and made displays showcasing Canadian heritage. Some topics included Sir Frederick Banting’s discovery of insulin, women’s hockey, the Halifax explosion, Canadian involvement in the Korean war, cattle breeds in Canada and Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump. Van Zandbergen said the fair is sanctioned by the Canadian Historical Society and Heritage Canada. The Byemoor students will take their projects to the Central Alberta Heritage Fair at the Red Deer Museum on Saturday.
Contributed photos
BEFORE AND AFTER — Stettler high school students Carly Armstrong (left) and Dacia Gramlick show their versatility en route to scoring the highest mark in musical theatre last week at the 45th annual Stettler Music Festival at the Stettler Performing Arts Centre. For more music festival coverage, see pages A2 and A7.
Education Week The board discussed Education Week, which is this coming week, as an opportunity to endorse public education, highlight education partnerships and recognize contributions made by students, staff and volunteers. Community meetings The board continues its Clearview tour tonight with a “community consultation meeting” in the Stettler Elementary School drama/music classroom. An Erskine meeting is scheduled for this Thursday night. Last night, the board gathered with Big Valley residents. The series wraps up in Stettler on May 13.
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