Drumheller RCMP held its 150th anniversary celebration on Thursday, August 31 and, despite multiple events going on simultaneously and some overcast weather, the community turned out to help celebrate. Along with putting the detachment’s fleet of cruisers on display, there were some special appearances from the tactical armoured vehicle unit, motorcycle traffic unit, Drumheller Citizens on Patrol, and Safety Bear. Residents enjoyed an up close and personal look at some of the holding cells within the detachment, and Caden, 8, (left) and Cooper, 11, even had the chance to take a seat in the police armoured vehicle. Staff Sergeant Rob Harms was grateful for the outpouring of community support and says the event could not have been done without help from the detachment’s administrative staff, who helped immensely with the planning of the event, or the support and donations from local organizations.

In the first eight months of 2023, the Drumheller Fire Department has responded to 265 calls-this is, on average, just over one call per day.
Drumheller Fire Chief Derian Rosario says the department, which includes the Drumheller, East Coulee, and Rosedale halls, could see over 400 calls by the end of the year if the trend continues as it has.
“Our greatest increase is in monitored alarm calls and EMS assist (medical first responder) calls,” Chief Rosario tells the Mail.
The Mail reported in January 2023 the department had responded to a total of 309 calls in 2022; this was an increase from 2021 when the department responded to 193 calls, and it appears the trend of increased call volume is continuing.
Although members of the three halls have responded to a variety of calls, ranging from structure fires and motor vehicle collisions, many of the calls they attend are for alarms from monitored alarm companies. It is unclear what, if any, financial impact these types of calls have; the Mail reached out to Chief Rosario as to whether there is an associated cost to the municipality for department members to attend a false alarm or monitored alarm call, but had not received any figures as of press time.
A close second are EMS assist and other Medical First Responder calls, in which the department is called to provide care when an ambulance is either unavailable or not in the immediate vicinity, or when assistance is needed by EMS personnel on scene.
Chief Rosario notes, while firefighters are qualified to act in the capacity as Medical First Responders, they are not allowed to transport patients.