Drayton Valley/Brazeau County Fire Services
5120-52nd Street T7A 1A1 Drayton Valley, AB, Canada

Burn Awareness Week: The first step to avoiding electrical-related fire hazards and burns is to know the warning signs of faulty or misused equipment. Can you p...oint out what's wrong in each photo and why? Learn what's + and - when it comes to electrical safety: edmonton.ca/burnawareness Electrical Safety Tips: Do not use any appliances or extension cords with frayed wiring where the lead enters the plug, or cords with damaged/exposed wires. Do not plug several appliances into one socket as this can cause an overload, leading to a short circuit and/or fire. Do not run cords under carpets or mats as you can unknowingly damage them. Always use the correct wattage when fitting a light bulb in a lamp as the bulb can overheat or short circuit, causing an injury and/or fire. Avoid handling electrical devices when you or your hands are wet. Keep space heaters at least 3 feet (1 metre) away from anything that can burn. Make sure space heaters are equipped with auto shut-off so that in the event of it tipping it over, it turns off. Plug space heaters and appliances directly into a wall outlet; never use an extension cord. Always unplug heat sources when leaving the room or going to sleep. To avoid shock, burns or electrocution, keep children and pets away from electrical cords. Ensure all receptacle outlets and switches have faceplates so they cannot be tampered with.

Introducing Battalion Chief Mike Gramlich with Station # 3 Drayton Valley! Mike joined us in early 2003 and we lucky to have him on our team! Tell us a bit about yourself. I joined the Drayton Valley/Brazeau County Fire Services in 2003, coming from Wainwright where I was on the paid-on-call department there since January, 2000. I have an incredible and supportive Wife Tracy and two amazing daughters, Kennedy and Avery who are 21 and 19. Tracy and I started a mechanical bu...siness in 2007 and between that, my paid-on-call position and a part-time Training Officer position I accepted with the Fire Services in 2018, I don’t have a whole lot of free time. We purchased a lake lot on Gull Lake in early 2019 which we absolutely love! It is such a great place with awesome people, and we look forward to going back every time we leave. What drew you to be a paid on call member with the Drayton Valley/Brazeau County Fire Services ? Originally, when I joined the department in Wainwright in January, 2000, I was asked by a friend if I would be interested. Not knowing anything about it, I gave it a shot and was hooked immediately! I loved going out on calls, coming to the hall for training and the feeling of comradery that goes along with being a member of a group of people with a common passion to help people. When we moved to Drayton Valley I made joining the department a priority, even making sure our first home here was in close proximity to the fire hall ensuring a timely response. What makes you happy? I love spending time with my family and friends; whether it be in the comfort of our home, our lake lot, or out on the trails on our Polaris RZR, I am truly thankful for everyone and everything I have in my life. What has been your most memorable experience with the Drayton Valley/Brazeau County Fire Services ? The most memorable experience for me would have to be when a small group of firefighters and I decided to respond to the Lamb Creek Fire near Cranbrook, BC in 2003 . Although we did not have a huge role in the fight, we were a small part of a large operation that was helping a municipality a province away. I knew then that this was an incredible department full of amazing people who will always put the needs of others ahead of themselves.

Today we’ll be chatting about mental health for Bell Let's Talk Day. Please join the conversation and help end the stigma surrounding mental illness. For every use of the Bell Let’s Talk Facebook frame, Bell will donate 5 to Canadian mental health initiatives. Please share our upcoming posts throughout the day and let’s get the conversation going!

Did you know that our bodies lose heat 25 times faster in water compared to being in air of the same temperature? Hypothermia is a real risk if you break through ice. Exercise caution when near bodies of water including the North Saskatchewan River, creeks and stormwater facilities.

Light up the Town 2020! Thank you Fire Fighter Garlyn Pyzda Carter Prokopow and Carmen Dunham for making this happen tonight!

COVID-19 UPDATE | NOVEMBER 24th, 2020 Today’s update was opened by Premier Jason Kenney who declared a State of Public Health Emergency in Alberta and updated A...lbertans on new restrictions in the province. Some restrictions are province-wide, and some are for areas included in the ‘enhanced’ status zones. As of November 12th, Drayton Valley is included as an 'enhanced' zone. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ME AND MY FAMILY? - No indoor social gatherings are permitted in any setting (private homes, public spaces, or workplaces). - Outdoor social gatherings are limited to 10 people and must not have an indoor component. - Festivals and events are prohibited. - Maximum of 10 people for wedding ceremonies or funeral services. - Maximum of 1/3 normal attendance for places of worship with mask use and physical distancing. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR BUSINESSES? - Businesses that are closed for in-person service include banquet halls, conference centres, trade shows, auditoria and concert venues, non-approved/licensed markets, community centres, children’s play places or indoor playgrounds. - All levels of sport (professional, semi-professional, junior, collegiate/universities and amateur) are restricted. Exemptions may be considered. - Restaurants, bars, pubs, and lounges will be open with restrictions if they follow all public health guidance in place including a maximum of 6 people from the same household at a table, no movement between tables, only seated eating and drinking is permitted, no other services or entertainment will be allowed including billiards, games or darts. Liquor can be sold until 10 pm and food-serving establishments must close to in-person dining at 11 pm. - Most retail businesses may remain open with capacity limited to 25% of the occupancy set under the Alberta Fire Code including: liquor and cannabis, grocery stores, pharmacies, clothing stores, computer and technology stores, hardware, automotive, approved farmers markets, unlicensed outdoor seasonal markets. - Some entertainment and event services may remain open with capacity limited to 25% of the occupancy set under the Alberta Fire Code including movie theatres, museums and galleries, libraries, casinos for slots only, indoor entertainment centres. - Indoor fitness, recreation and sport with restrictions. - Some businesses can remain open by appointment only including hair salons, barbers and personal health and wellness. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR MY WORKPLACE? - Working from home should be considered where possible. - Masks are recommended in workplaces except when in individual offices or cubicles. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR SCHOOLS? - Grades 7 to 12 will move to at-home learning November 30 to Jan 8th, except during winter break. In-person classes will resume January 11. - Grades K-6 will continue in-person learning to December 18th and move to at-home learning Dec 18th to January 8th except during winter break. In-person classes will resume January 11. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR TOWN FACILITIES/PROGRAMS/OPERATIONS? Under this classification many Town facilities and programs can continue to operate, but we will be reviewing these guidelines and updating the public tomorrow on any changes going forward. As of the end of the day November 23rd, there are 38 active cases of COVID-19 in the Drayton Valley/Brazeau County area. Full details on the province’s new restrictions can be found at https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx. Watch the full update here: https://youtu.be/OZWGxfT8TM8

Remembrance Day 2020