Carlyle Fire and Rescue has donated $25,000 to Carnduff Fire and Rescue as a thank-you for their support during this year’s northern wildfire response.
Carnduff firefighters Mike Pirie and Randy Spencer joined Carlyle’s team up north for a week, stepping in when Carlyle could not fully staff their unit.
"We were short guys and couldn’t put a full crew together, so Carnduff stepped up and ran our truck for us," said Carlyle Deputy Fire Chief Rob Klassen. "That was the whole reason for the donation."
Klassen said the partnership has strengthened ties between the two departments, even though they do not often work together directly.
"Logistically, we don’t usually deal with Carnduff much. We don’t share borders. But this has definitely improved that relationship."
The funds will support Carnduff’s plans to develop a regional fire training facility, which Klassen said will benefit not only Carnduff but departments across southeast Saskatchewan.
"They’re hoping to set it up to host training sessions that members from all over the southeast could attend. It would make things more accessible, saving costs on mileage, hotels, that kind of thing."
Klassen also stressed the importance of rural departments building strong working relationships, especially when responding to larger-scale emergencies.
"A few years ago, we had a large fire south of Alameda, and if I remember right, there were about 10 departments on that call. It helps to know who has what and what everyone’s capable of when you’re in those situations."
The Carlyle truck remains up north, with three members currently stationed there. On Monday, a new crew will be sent to relieve them and keep the response going.
Klassen said they will continue to rotate crews and keep the truck deployed as long as they are able to staff it.
"It really is one big family," he said. "If departments can help each other out, they do."