The brand new RM of North Battleford fire hall is officially now open.
Co-fire chief Trevor Watts says it is an important step for the fire department that started just two years ago.
“We’re very excited and very fortunate to have a place to call home now,” he said. “It’s something the RM needed.”
The 6,400 sq. ft. building costs, which includes the building, all finishings to date and the asphalt, is about $757,500, according to the RM office.
The fire department serves the full RM of North Battleford, and has a mutual aid agreement with the Village of Meota.
The fire department thanked the RM council and all the donors who supported the project during the opening celebration Thursday.
“[RM] Council has been excellent to work with,” said Watts. “They were very quick on making decisions to get things started for us. That really helped us with their support.”
The fire department has 20 volunteer firefighters in total.
Co-fire chief Aaron McNabb says they are thrilled with the people who stepped forward on the team.
“We have made a concerted effort to keep that youthful, to bring the younger generation of guys along to be part of this,” he said. “They have the energy, and a lot of them know the municipality well. They all bring a lot.”
Many of the fire department’s volunteer firefighters along with fire co-chiefs Trevor Watts and Aaron McNabb on right. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)McNabb says the relatively new fire department is receiving a positive response from the community.
“I believe most of the municipality feels good about the service we can provide, so it’s been good. We have been well received,” he said.
The fire department receives a donation of $30,000 from Serafina Energy Ltd. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)The fire department also had their fire trucks and equipment on display during the event; two pump trucks, two water tankers, a utility truck, and a side-by-side all-terrain vehicle.
Watts says they are now looking at purchasing an additional truck.
“What we are trying to do is raise enough money to buy what we call a rapid response unit,” he said, “a vehicle we would have our extrication equipment in.”
Reeve Dan Bartko says he feels “fantastic” to have the hall now completed for the fire department.
“There have been tough decisions to make but we are so happy with what we have, and grateful, especially for the volunteers we have,” he said. “Without them we wouldn’t have it.”
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