The Hanna Fire Department and Prairie Land School Division (PLRD) have teamed up to develop students into firefighters.
    The  Hanna Fire Department, over the last couple of years, has been developing a Training Centre to serve the community. They have partnered with the local school division and are in the process of getting a new curriculum approved for area high school students who wish to pursue firefighting as a volunteer or as a professional.
    “We are looking at students coming out with their National Fire Protection Association  1001 Level 1 and 2 Certifications,” said David Mohl, Hanna Fire Chief. “This is your basic firefighting training for volunteer and career firefighters.”
    He says this certification is very basic and is similar to courses offered at colleges.
    Mohl explains the course will be offered to Grade 11 and 12 students, and not only does it give students another option course, but it may actually attract students to this unique program.
    “Maybe there is someone in Drumheller who really wants this, they will have to come to school in Hanna,” said Mohl. “Not that we are going to try to poach people from out of the area, but if there is someone who is really passionate about it, they can come and do it for a reasonable cost.”
    He also says it adds another dimension to the curriculum especially as PLRD explores an international program.
    “There is international potential,” said Mohl. “If there is someone who wants firefighting, they will come to Hanna to be enrolled in that program for Grades 11 and 12.”
    J.C. Charyk School vice principal, Kelly Lewis, has been developing the curriculum and is in the process of getting it approved by Alberta Education. If successful, they hope to begin offering the course in the next school year.
    He explains they will begin offering the course to Grade 11 students, however, to attain national certification, they are required to complete both Grade 11 and 12. He says course work will be done at the school and practical training will be done at the training centre. Students will not only get the certification but also earn high school credits towards graduation.
    “It has been a long time in the works and it is going to be a cool course,” said Lewis. “Being in Rural Alberta and having volunteer fire departments everywhere, these people are always in demand with these skills. Even if the student doesn’t go onto be a firefighter in the city or somewhere else, they will have the skills to join their local fire department.”

    A wintery blast by mother nature was a good reminder for residents to take care on the highways and to be prepared.
    Warnings of a winter storm began on Friday afternoon, and by Saturday evening, heavy, wet snow made many area highways impassable, with motorists, semis, and even snowplows stranded.
    The RCMP Detachment said on Saturday they received about 18 calls, and for some calls, it was too treacherous to respond.
    Corporal Gerald Sherk of the Drumheller RCMP said most of the calls were minor.
    For the most part the calls we  received were drivers being stuck or vehicles being stranded,” he said. “The weather was so bad it was difficult for us to attend to help people who rely on emergency services, but if their vehicles were getting stuck we’re going to get struck too. “
    In Wheatland County, Emergency Reception Centres were set up at the Lutheran Church in Strathmore and at the Gleichen Community Hall.
    Highway 21 between Highway 9 and Highway 575 was closed in both northbound and southbound directions and Highway 56 from Highway 10 to Highway 564 was closed during the storm.
    Despite the number of calls, there were not many collisions of note. Fire Chief Bruce Wade said despite the weather, the department did not receive any calls.
    “People were smart and stayed home,” said Wade.
    Corporal Sherk agrees many took heed of the warnings.
    “There was a lot of direction for people to stay off the roads unless it was absolutely urgent to be out there and  I do really think that saved a  lot of safety concerns. There would have been some serious accidents and a lot more people stuck.”
    This type of situation highlights the importance of being prepared before heading out onto the highway. Conditions can change quickly. While many area highways became treacherous, in Drumheller conditions were mild. This highlights the importance of checking conditions before you head out.
    It is also important to make sure your vehicle has ample fuel in case the vehicle is stranded or you have to detour. A couple of the calls received by RCMP last weekend were for drivers who had run out of fuel.
    According to the Government of Canada Get Prepared website, an emergency car kit is an important tool to have in place. This includes items such as non-perishable food and water. It is also important to have extra clothing or blankets for warmth. A first aid kit is an important component with a tool that is able to cut a seatbelt. Other important tools include a shovel, a flashlight, and a candle in a deep can.
    May 5-11 is Emergency Preparedness Week. For more information go to www.getprepared.gc.ca