Bow Island Emergency Services
602 1st street west T0K 0G0 Bow Island, AB, Canada

Happy Halloween!! We are set up in Westview Crescent! Come on down for some treats and say hi to your firefighters!

IMPORTANT NOTICE!! The Bow Island Fire Department will be using AFRRCS radios in the near future, as a result 403-545-2400 will no longer be in service. Please note that your alarm company may be using 403-545-2400 as a way to get Bow Island Fire Department to be dispatched to a fire alarm or medical alarm. Effective April 1,2021 that number will not be in service. The new number for your alarm monitoring stations should be 403-529-8466 to dispatch Bow Island Fire Department.

Time for another edition of Firefighter Friday. Today we are highlighting Captain Curtis Gouw! I joined the fire department in 1997 after Chief Byam asked me more than once and reassured me that becoming a member would be a benefit to myself and to the community. Talk about a fish out of water! Everything was so foreign to me, terminology, tools and trucks. After time before you know it you are talking the lingo, using the tools effectively and operating the trucks. The group... of members that mentored me as to what it takes to serve our community has been much appreciated. In 2011 I was promoted to Captain after senior members where promoted or retired from the service. Once again a fish out of water! With another group of mentors and a patient membership, I learned even more and I am still learning to this day. I surely appreciate the officer group and firefighters that are the Bow Island Fire Department. Their commitment to each other, training and serving the community make my responsibilities a pleasure. I couldn't do what is required without the support of my wife Taria and 4 children. I don't even know how many family meals or functions that I have missed with them over the years. My family takes all of that in stride. Our family motto has been; what you give will come back to you, so give with a generous spirit. Even though our children are grown now they understand that the department was there to make someone's bad day better. From the time I started volunteering with the department I had the support of great employers who allowed me to serve the community. Now we have great employees at Bow Island Apple Drugs who wonder were I am most days, and all they will get is a brief explanation as I dash out the door. I want to give a shout out to all the employers of our membership who grant their employees time to serve the community of Bow Island and the County of Forty Mile. Thank You. Last but not least: If you are wondering if the Bow Island Fire Department is the place to serve your community come on down and have a conversation with a member, it may change your life in a great way.

After introducing everyone to the new Engine 1 last week, we are going to move on to Rescue 1 this week. We are approaching 1 year of service for the new Rescue 1. This truck will respond to almost every call we get. It has our Jaws of Life, rescue struts, cribbing, ice rescue and extra SCBAs/bottles just to name some of the equipment. The built in generator runs all our side scene lighting and our large light tower. If it is a structure fire, MVC or a call for mutual aid in the county chances are you will see Rescue 1 on scene.

Monday night's practice was back in our search training room. Members spent the evening working on firefighter survival techniques. This included wall breaching and SCBA removal to go through a small space with entangled wires. We also went over forcible entry. Training was finished off with several primary search scenarios including victim removal. Another great practice!!

Monday night's practice was spent learning inside out of the cold! The first part of training was a presentation on a new handheld radio system. The rest of the evening was spent on Medical First Response which included protocol for responding to an opioid overdose.

Last night at 10:22PM, BIFD was dispatched out for a small shed fire in the town of Bow Island. Engine 1,Rescue 1, and Rescue 3 responded. Firefighters found a small garden shed with contents on fire. The fire was quickly extinguished and the house was investigated to be sure the fire had not extended to the attic. A huge thanks to the alert home owner for his quick response with a fire extinguisher to knock the fire back. Without these actions, this would have most certainly been a serious structure fire involving major damage to the main house. As of 11:45PM, all units were back in service.

Thank you Stirling Fire Department for hosting our firefighters!!

Here is the map of the parade!

Th Christmas parade will be starting at 4:45pm. The parade will start in front of Senator Gershaw School and continuing thru the entire town! Keep your eyes open for Santa!! The parade route is posted below.

Sunday evening at 5:00PM, BIFD will be joining in with the Christmas parade. We will be driving through town with a few engines and rescue trucks. Keeps your eyes open to see Santa Claus riding along!!

Our sincere condolences to our brothers and sisters of Coaldale & District Emergency Services as well as the family of Captain Wilson!

BIFD was privileged to receive a grant from the Rural Community Fund of Forty Mile. These funds will be used for the purchase of PPE and equipment for the fight against covid-19. This morning, Michelle Maclean stopped by to drop off a check for the grant. A huge thanks to Michelle and the Rural Community Fund of Forty Mile for the generous support!

For Sale! We are selling our old Rescue 2. This truck is a 1984 truck. We are selling it as is. Open to offers. Pm for further information.