It is a service many take for granted until it is actually needed and then there is no way to thank those for what they do in a time of need or tragedy.
The Battleford Volunteer Fire Department has been around for more than 100 years and now that history and tradition is on display at the Fred Light Museum. Saturday marked the grand opening of the fire hall at the museum in Battleford.
After opening comments and O Canada, the ribbon was cut and the tours began through the building that has historic artifacts dating back 1905.
Bernie Leslie thanked all the volunteers and businesses who helped to bring the fire hall museum to life. The addition to the Fred Light Museum was just an idea in 2005 and is now reality.
"This was an idea born through residence's ideas and many volunteers," said Mayor Chris Odishaw.
Odishaw was impressed with the way the old and new came together, as the members of the current volunteer fire department had and the current fire trucks on display for the grand opening of a building which honours the past fire department members and their efforts.
The museum features three vintage fire trucks, one each from 1927, 1946 and 1963. Along with the fire trucks, there are also newspaper clippings from the early 1900s of recorded fires and emergency calls to the Battleford Fire Department. Photos and the names of former fire fighters can also be found inside the building. Older tools and equipment and firefighter suits are also on display inside the fire hall, which is highlighted with a fire bell in the front tower.
Larry Gabruch, the current Battleford fire chief said, "The fire brigade of today is very proud of what the board (of the Fred Light Museum) was able to accomplish."
