Firefighting training was held for the members of the South Central Protective Services Association at the Assiniboia Fire Hall on February 10 and 11. The participants for the training included 18 people from surrounding communities, including four from Assiniboia.
The South Central Protective Services Association (SPCS) has members from the towns of Gravelbourg, Assiniboia, Coronach, Lafleche, Rockglen, Mossbank and Willow Bunch, the villages of Wood Mountain and Viceroy, as well as the surrounding RMs of Lake of the Rivers, Poplar Valley, Old Post, Excel, Lake Johnston, Willow Bunch, Stonehenge and Sutton. Its members include council members, representatives of fire departments, RCMP and other emergency services. The Assiniboia and District Chamber of Commerce handles the day-to-day correspondence and office duties for the SCPS. The SCPS organizes emergency and protection classes for its members.
Dean McNab, Shaunovan’s long-serving Fire Chief, was invited to be the instructor for the SPCS training. The SPCS found it more cost-effective to bring in an instructor instead of sending its volunteer members out to larger centres for the training as in the past. Having the training closer in the district and based in Assiniboia allowed more volunteer firefighters from surrounding communities to participate.
Each of the participants brought their gear with them and their instructor went through each item to identify worn points. McNab also reiterated the safety regulations for protective gear and how to wear it safely.
McNab conveyed his personal experience of over 30 years in firefighting. “Being able to convey on a personal note that it is not just reading out of a textbook.” He shared his own experiences to impress upon the class about safety.
According to McNab, this group now takes the knowledge back to their own departments and fellow fire team members.
