CRFRS firefighters taking part in a training exercise. (Photo: Clearwater Regional Fire Rescue Services.)

By Adam Ophus

No budget changes

Clearwater Regional Fire Service adapts to COVID-19 pandemic

Apr 22, 2020 | 1:13 PM

The fire chief for Clearwater Regional Fire Rescue Services (CRFRS) says they’ve done well to adapt to the “new normal” brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

Steve Debienne says that when the pandemic was first declared they did see a reduction in calls “but this change could have been contributed to the weather, over the last few weeks our calls have returned to normal volume.”

Debienne mentioned the type of calls they are receiving have returned to what was similar to previous years as well.

He explained that some things have changed for the CRFRS as they are now following different guidelines to keep themselves, and residents, safe during the pandemic.

“We’ve moved to a maximum of four members on an apparatus for all medical responses, we’ve implemented what we call a doorway triage by asking COVID specific question on all emergency calls, stricter de-contamination guidelines for the event that members are feeling under the weather or are suspected of having COVID-19 and increased personal protective equipment following the Alberta Health recommendations.”

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Debienne says the only other small in-house change has been at their Rocky Mountain House station where they conduct multiple weekly training exercises, saying they’ve had to reduce the number of people to 15 and keep with physical distancing rules.

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Devin Dreeshen recently said the province is keeping a close eye on the wildfire season and will take steps to limit potential wildfires, stating “COVID-19 will undoubtedly affect our capacity to fight wildfires and evacuate communities.”

Debienne agreed that it could be an issue, but depends on where the province is in terms of the health crisis.

“That’s the big concern going on, it’s going to affect the way we fight fires a lot because even the traditional way of putting fire fighters in camps will become a challenge.”

He reiterated by saying that the CRFRS are always prepared and that they have an amazing group of men and women who are always there and ready to take any call.