Yesterday the Dauphin Fire Department saluted those working on the front lines.
Fire Chief Cam Abrey got the idea from a social media post asking people to step out on their front doorstep and make some noise for the front line workers.
“We thought, you know what, we’re going to pull all the firetrucks out and we’re going to sound the sirens for 30 seconds. So we did that and broadcasted it on our social media outlets, on Twitter and Facebook and had quite the reaction. I’m looking around and I’m seeing a lot of other communities, a lot of other departments that are doing some things to pay their thanks to everybody in the public and we thought, let’s do something in our area. So I sent the message out to our mutual aid partners, the other departments within the Parkland, Riding Mountain mutual aid district and Ste. Rose, Grandview, Gilbert Plains all participated last night where they did drive-bys to their health care facilities.”
Some of the communities don’t have health care facilities, Ochre River, for example, so they hung a sign in their fire station in support of the workers.
Abrey says they invited the RCMP and EMS to join them.
“We had quite the parade where we went by the hospital and just took a step out onto the front ramp and we had a little banner that we showed everyone that was inside, showing why we are thankful for them.”
Abrey says even though they drove by the hospital, the salute is for everyone in the medical field and everyone else still working with the public.
As the only full-time staff member at the Dauphin Fire Department, Abrey has been able to follow social distancing rules while still being at the fire station every day. The coronavirus has changed how things work, but even before self-isolation came into play, Abrey says they asked their members to stay home if they’re sick.
“We have moved to an app where we’re able to determine how many firefighters are able to attend, so when the emergency call comes out, they’re able to press a number on the app and it tells us here at the station how many people are able to respond. That gives us the option of moving to mutual aid and calling in assisting fire departments if need be.”
Since the fire department is an essential service, they must still train. Abrey says in the classroom, they obey social distancing, he adds that it’s hard to do on an emergency call, but they are wearing their personal protective equipment.
Over the weekend, the fire department might pull some trucks out and sound the sirens.
“We’ve heard that some people are thinking there’s major calls happening when they hear the sirens, but we’re just trying to make some noise to thank some people that are still out there working.”
Cam Abrey says if you’d like to take part, stand on your front step and make some noise, clap, or grab some pots and pans. He also says to look for when people are going to be doing this because there are people planning it and trying to make it nationwide.
