A $25,000 donation from the Carlyle Fire and Rescue Department is helping the Carnduff Fire Department take a major step toward establishing a long-planned training facility in the community.
Carnduff Fire Training Officer Randy Spencer says the donation stems from a recent collaboration between the departments.
"Me and another member, Mike Perry, had gone up and ran Carlyle’s wildland unit at the Weyakwin Fire Base when the Ditch O2 fire was burning through the area," Spencer explained.
The funds will be put toward the development of a new training site in Carnduff, aimed at enhancing fire and rescue education not just for local crews but for departments across the region.
"We're going to purchase some sea cans, and we’ll be able to teach multiple fire courses down there, like search and rescue, auto extrication, and eventually live fire," Spencer said. "Just a whole schwack of training courses that people are needing."
While the facility is still in its initial fundraising phase, the vision is ambitious. The goal is to create a regional hub where firefighters can gain hands-on experience to meet growing provincial training requirements.
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) has been encouraging departments across the province to meet minimum standards. Spencer noted that with three qualified instructors already based in Carnduff, it made sense to create a centralized training location.
"Why don’t we build that training facility here and offer the courses?" he said. "We’ll welcome departments near and far. Whoever wants to come is more than welcome."
Spencer said Carnduff’s department is in relatively good shape. Like many rural fire services, keeping up with training standards is a common challenge. The new facility would help bridge that gap.
Support from the community has been steady, he added, with both the RM and Town Council consistently stepping up to assist.
"Our community is always there for us. Whenever we have fundraisers, they show up," he said.
Ultimately, he says, the department’s goal is simple: "To help us and other departments get to the desired levels by providing adequate training, and to make sure everyone goes home safe and sound at the end of the day."
Spencer closed by expressing his appreciation for Carlyle's support.