ESTEVAN - The new year started with a call for service for the Estevan Fire Rescue Service (EFRS).
The call came in on Jan. 2. A commercial fire alarm went off in a restaurant in central Estevan.
"Crews did arrive on scene to find that the fire alarm panel was active and it was indicating that the hood suppression system for the cooking appliance was activated. Upon investigation, it was learned that this indeed was not the case, as everything was fully functional and armed and still ready to go,” said Fire Chief Dale Feser.
“So after investigation, it was deemed that was a faulty detection sent to the alarm system. It was reset and crews returned to the fire station.”
The end of 2021 was relatively busy for the local firefighters as well.
On Dec. 18, fire crews responded to a vehicle collision that occurred at the bypass. The accident resulted in injuries and entrapment.
"Crews did arrive on scene to find one driver trapped in the vehicle. We worked diligently to remove and extricate the patient and transfer care off to EMS where she was later taken to hospital for the treatment of her injuries,” said Feser.
On the morning of Dec. 20, firefighters responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian accident that occurred in front of the Estevan Market Mall. Estevan EMS was already treating the patient upon the firefighters' arrival.
"EFR assisted in packaging and treatment and handoff of care to EMS and then crews returned to the fire station," Feser said.
On Dec. 22, fire crews responded to another accident. Two vehicles collided at the intersection of Fourth Street and Fifteenth Avenue. No injuries were reported. Firefighters assisted with traffic control and helped assess the drivers. Both vehicles were damaged, but still drivable.
In the afternoon of Dec. 26, EFRS members were called to another collision with no injuries. It appeared to be minor in nature and both vehicles were still drivable.
"The exchange of information took place, vehicles were checked over to make sure there were no leaks, and the scene was turned back over to Estevan city police," Feser said.
On Dec. 27, firefighters were dispatched to a fuel leak occurring at the co-op cardlock gas station on the bypass. Upon arrival, it was found that while the leak was indeed occurring, it wasn't fuel, but rather diesel exhaust fluid (DEF).
"The maintenance manager for the cardlock station was contacted and informed of the leak that was occurring, and it was turned over to them to mitigate that particular leak," Feser said.
On Dec. 28, a residential fire alarm went off in the north-central area of Estevan. It was quickly found that it was a faulty detection device that triggered the alarm. The homeowner was reminded that they have to be the first point of contact if an alarm goes off at their residence.
The same day at about 1:30 p.m., crews were dispatched to the intersection of Rooney Road and Kensington Avenue, where two vehicles were unable to share the road.
"Both vehicles did suffer some fairly significant damage. There was a substantial fluid leak that occurred as a result of the collision. We provided traffic control, cleaned up fluid leaks as well as isolated all the vehicles and assisted with checking over both the drivers to ensure no injuries did indeed occur," Feser said. "Then both vehicles were removed from the scene by the towing company. And after that, the scene was turned over to the Estevan city police to continue to investigate the cause of the collision."
On Dec. 29, fire crews responded to a report of a structure fire occurring on the outside of a building in the south-central area of the city. Fortunately, it turned out there was no emergency occurring.
"Homeowners were home and we were very glad to find out that there was no actual structural fire that was occurring. It was one of those very bitter cold days, so the husband was outside working and noted a bunch of what he thought was smoke, but it was actually steam coming from a dryer. He was unaware that his wife was doing laundry inside," Feser explained.
"Another really, really good reminder, if it is this cold out you always want to make sure that you're checking your vertical and horizontal venting on your homes as they do ice up. Once they do ice up they become ineffective, running out the appliances. Besides, carbon monoxide that can enter the home is not able to safely exit the structure. So at least every one or two days when it is this cold go outside, make sure you are knocking the ice off your vents and make sure they're free and clear of any snow or rain or any other debris."
Feser also reminded that people should be diligent with secondary heating appliances.
"Should people be using any portable space heaters, you want to ensure that they're the CSA-approved for use in Canada, as well as purchased with tip-over protection so that if the appliance does fall over, it'll actually automatically shut off so that way it cannot cause a fire. And of course, anytime that you use any secondary heating appliances, you want to observe at least one metre/three feet of clearance from any combustible items, such as boxing, wrapping papers, clothing, whatever the case may be, anything that can burn you want to keep at least a three-foot radius free and clear of those particular heaters," Feser said.
