Emergency Services
Fire Protection Services
The Special Areas Board provides fire protection services in partnership with 14 volunteer fire departments including fire suppression, vehicle rescue (Oyen, Hanna, Consort, and Jenner), ice rescue (Hanna) and a spill trailer (Hanna).
As well, the Special Areas Board has a Basic Safety Officer accredited by the Safety Codes Council who checks for compliance under the Safety Codes Act in the discipline of fire.
The Special Areas Board Fire Chief can be reached through the Youngstown Service Center
at (403) 779-3733.
Message from the Fire Chief
What Are You Doing For Fire Prevention Week?
Fire Department Incident Responses
Controlled Burn Procedure
The Special Areas Board does not currently issue burn permits; however, ratepayers are required to contact their local fire departments and immediate neighbors when they plan to do a controlled burn.
Owners are responsible for controlled burns and are required to ensure the burn is properly monitored while burning and fully extinguished prior to leaving. Means of extinguishment must be in place prior to any burn.
The Special Areas Board would like to remind all residents to observe the following protocol when doing controlled burns:
- Check if there are any fire restrictions in effect the day of the burn by contacting your local Special Areas District Office or by consulting www.albertafirebans.ca.
- Check daily weather conditions (especially wind and temperatures) to make sure the burn will be safe to perform.
- Contact area neighbors to inform them of your burn.
- Notify the Special Areas Board Fire Chief at (403) 854-0625 or your local district office during working hours at least 24 hours before you burn so area fire departments are aware of fire activities.
If you encounter a fire, always call the fire department (Dial 911) even if you think it is extinguished. Please state the location of the fire using Township/Range or other major roadways or landmarks when calling.
NOTE:
If a controlled burn takes place in contravention of a fire advisory or ban, or if the local fire department is not notified in any instance, the local fire department may be dispatched and the ratepayer invoiced the cost of the fire response call.
Fire Respoonses Areas
Fire Department Contact Information
| Location | Name | Role |
| Acadia Valley | Roger Didychuk | Fire Chief |
| Ed Van Sickle | Deputy Chief | |
| Altario | Bruce Kohlman | Fire Chief |
| Wendy Murphy | Deputy Chief | |
| Bigstone | Steven Duffield | Fire Chief |
| Troy Tattrie | Deputy Chief | |
| Bindloss | Clarence Crocker | Fire Chief |
| Creston Andersen | Deputy Chief | |
| Buffalo | Pat Kukura | Fire Chief |
| Dale Monkman | Deputy Chief | |
| Cereal | Steven Muzyka | Fire Chief |
| Shane Dziakewich | Deputy Chief | |
| Cessford | John Lavoie | Fire Chief |
| Not Filled | Deputy Chief | |
| Consort | Craig Stillings | Fire Chief |
| Not Filled | Deputy Chief | |
| Empress | Mike Prosser | |
| Chad Van Dam | Deputy Chief | |
| Hanna | Dave Mohl | Fire Chief |
| Brent Olesen | Deputy Chief | |
| Homestead Coulee | Jim Faubion | Fire Chief |
| Chuck Job | Deputy Chief | |
| Jenner | Jeff Lewandoski | Fire Chief |
| Keith Ritz | Deputy Chief | |
| Oyen | Paul Lijdsman | Fire Chief |
| Troy MacLean | Deputy Chief | |
| Veteran | Darryl Tkack | Fire Chief |
| Stan Allison | Deputy Chief | |
| Youngstown | Tim Laughlin | Fire Chief |
| Dustin Dick | Deputy Chief | |
| Special Areas | Glen Durand | Fire Chief |
| Not Filled | Deputy Chief |
How to Volunteer
Fire and Rescue departments are always looking for new members - especially those who are available during the weekday, day time hours.
Please contact your local fire department for more information.
General Requirements for Volunteer Firefighting
- Minimum of 18 years of age
- Must submit a driver’s abstract
- Must submit to a criminal record check
- May be required to submit to a medical examination prior to training
- Must be willing to commit two weekends for training exercises as made available
- Must be able to work as a team member Must comply with all fire department protocols and conduct and abide by all regulations and training programs pertaining to the operation of the fire department.
