It has been just over 10 years for Chief Don VanMeer and the current fire department volunteers in planning and executing the construction of a new fire hall for Carlyle and area. As with any large construction project, things take time.
The fire chief shared the success of the golf tournament they have held each year in raising over $100,000 for this project as well as the involvement from the Town of Carlyle and the RM of Moose Mountain in making this a reality. A walk-through on Oct. 13 showed they could be in as early as mid-November if all goes as planned.
The Carlyle fire department has moved from being in the town shop, to a location on Railway Avenue, to the old Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure building which they have outgrown. As with all small town, paid on-call or volunteer firefighting departments, maintaining and repairing old equipment and buildings become more costly than replacing with the new. This was one factor when looking at repairing, renovating and adding on to the building they are currently in.
Two main pumpers, a wild land unit, a ladder truck and a tanker are what the department currently has to service the local area with their summer equipment needing to be stored outside in the winter and their winter equipment needing to be stored outside in the summer. This can be a concern with possible damage or theft.
“We have to continually move equipment around or keep it outside if we have to work on the trucks,” VanMeer explained. The need to have this and more equipment is necessary as Carlyle is a main station for the area, specifically Carlyle, Manor and White Bear First Nation. The surrounding communities all have their local volunteers who are immediately available, but Carlyle can provide all the necessary firefighting skill and ability that a smaller community may not have the manpower or equipment to handle on its own.
Insurance costs are often dependent on the availability of firefighting services in proximity to where you live. Homeowners living far from any firefighting facilities can pay exorbitant prices for insurance if they can get it at all. The town, the RM and the many small towns around us have different needs for equipment, depending on their water sources and availability, so everyone working together to raise money for the needs of each community is necessary.
Because of the diversity of the southeast corner, the local departments have many different dangerous scenarios they may face when arriving on scene.
“In the last three years, at least, we have noticed more departments contacting us wanting to join our training nights to help further themselves to better serve their communities,” VanMeer said. “That is another thing with this new hall, to be able to do more extensive training and involve others. Even having a conference room will also be great.”
He closed with his gratitude, “Thank you to everyone in the community and area, especially the small things that you might take for granted. The Lions Club has consistently given thousands of dollars every year for at least the last 15 years and that is huge. Businesses, farmers, and everyone who has pulled together to help is just amazing.”
Once in the new building, the Carlyle Fire Department will be looking for new members as there will be ample opportunities for training and practice going forward.
