At Centra Cam one of the things I do is informational posters to teach people about different things. I started on this poster a long time ago, and then COVID happened. SO I kind of forgot about it. It was very interesting to learn about the fire hall because I shred paper every week at the Fire Hall. So I wanted to learn about it. I learned a lot on their website. I got to interview G. Parnall a firefighter. I like to color pictures for my poster and make it fancy. It was really neat to learn about the Dalmatian’s at the fire hall and some of the Dalmatians are deaf. I hope people can learn about my poster. I really enjoyed doing it.

Questions for Lieutenant G. Parnall

Kelsey: How many fire calls on average do you get per year?

Lieutenant G. Parnall: It varies from year to year. Right now, we have had about 250 calls.

Kelsey: How many volunteer fire fighters are there?

Lieutenant G. Parnall: About 44 members

Kelsey: How did you get into this job?

Lieutenant G. Parnall: My Dad was a fire fighter, and my best friend is a fire fighter.

Kelsey: What did you do before this job?

Lieutenant G. Parnall: I work as manager at Crystal Glass.

Kelsey: Did you have to go to school for this job?

Lieutenant G. Parnall: I had training in Camrose and other places as well as school.

Kelsey: When holding the hose can it push you over?

Lieutenant G. Parnall: Yes, it can! So, we prepare for that.

Kelsey: What is your favorite part of your job?

Lieutenant G. Parnall: Investigations and finding out how things happened.

Kelsey: How many years have you been a fire fighter?

Lieutenant G. Parnall: Fifteen years

Kelsey: What are your daily activities at work?

Lieutenant G. Parnall: Making sure that trucks are ready for accidents, fires, and medical calls.

 Kelsey: What are you most proud of in your job?

Lieutenant G. Parnall: I get to go the children’s hospital to visit. I also get to visit with folks as well as I hope my sons see me as a hero. I enjoy driving red trucks!

All About the Fire Hall

Regularly inspect and clean equipment and vehicles in preparation for fires and practice fire drills. 

Fire departments have administration services, training and operations 

Administration – Does supervision, budgets, policy and human resources.

Service – Offers protection, safety and education to the public.

Training – Prepares people by educating them to do their jobs.  

Operations – Perform tasks to minimize harm to people, property and environment 

Fire stations exist in most jurisdictions and have many volunteers to make it function well.

 

Within the fire department we have :

• Fire Chief
• Deputy Fire Chief
• Captains
• Lieutenants
• Firefighters
• Admin support

The fire department issues fire bans when there is a risk of setting fires.

The city of Camrose pays the fire department to operate.

The service department provides education on:

• Carbon monoxide alarms
• Fire pit permits
• Holiday safety
• Home fire escape plan
• National fire protection association
• Potting soil fire awareness
• Safe at home report card
• Safe smoking

The service department also provides code enforcement and investigation of complaints, answers questions and helps with fire safety training.

They help with fire by laws and setting fees and fines  .

Training department:

The training department does in house training weekly though out the year

They train volunteer fire fighters there are three steps to become a volunteer

Step one – they need a physical evaluation

Step two – medical and applicant checks

Step three – fill out the general information application

They always ask the question “Why do you want to be a fire fighter?”

Just for your information Camrose volunteer fire fighters get paid for the calls they go on plus for weekly training and then at tax time they have a deduction applied.

Dalmations

Interesting information Dalmatians aren’t all deaf. Their association with fire hall was originally because they could keep up with horses now they serve as a mascot.

How do firefighters get involved in our community?

They do pancake breakfasts for charity organizations, MS bike tours, Walk for life, Stollery Children’s hospital, and they speak to kids in schools.