Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The week of October 6-12 is Fire Prevention Week, and this is the time of year when we honour those who devote their time, talents, and sometimes even their lives to protecting us from the dangers of fire.
Today, I rise to boast about the Hay River fire department. This all-volunteer department consists of 28 dedicated members under the direction of fire chief Ross Potter. Nowadays fire fighters just don't fight fires. Some of the most important work they do is working with community members to prevent fires. Teaching us to install and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, to install and know how to use fire extinguishers, to plan exit drills in the home and even to clean the lint out of our clothes dryers are all part and parcel of a modern fire fighter's duties.
Our fire fighters are as well trained as those anywhere. With the help of the St. John's Ambulance, Lethbridge and Red Deer Colleges, Alberta Fire Training Services, North American Rescue, and in-house training, our fire fighters are prepared for any emergency.
Fire fighters also handle medical emergencies. In Hay River, we have 2 ambulances with 3 trained emergency medical technicians, and 4 members with emergency rescue status trained at NAIT and SAIT, and who are amongst our fire fighters, and they have handled 204 medical emergencies and 78 medevacs to date this year.
Through funding from both the federal and territorial governments, the Hay River fire department has used volunteer labour to build a 3 storey fire tower with annexed smoke house and training room on Vale Island. The complex also includes a hazardous goods training area, an extrication area, and a propane tree. This facility was opened during last year's Fire Prevention Week with its first live practice burn in the tower in May, 1996. The Town of Hay River has provided funding for 2 ambulances, 3 pumpers, 1 tanker, and heavy and light rescue vehicles, but the Fire Department itself funds a rescue boat and a winter rescue vehicle.
Mr. Speaker, I think we should all ensure that the fire fighters in our communities receive the respect and honour they deserve this week. I would especially like to recognize 4 outstanding, long-serving volunteers in Hay River's volunteer fire department; Ken Hunt, a fire fighter with 30 years service; Roger Reidman, 21 years; Floyd Hopkins, 20 years; and fire chief Ross Potter with 19 1/2 years service. Thank you to all our volunteer fire department members who improve the quality of life and safety in our communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause