TRIBUNE, SASK. — The 737 Volunteer Fire Department based in Tribune and covering RM of Souris Valley, RM of Lomond and a portion of the RM of Lake Alma, saw much action recently.
Fortunately, the scenarios, which included vehicle collisions with occupants entrapped and requiring extrication, were just a major hands-on practice under the Transportation Rescue Extrication (TREX) program. The training was completed this weekend.
"Many thanks to Mryglod Steel & Metals Inc. for providing and delivering the vehicles for this weekend's fire department TREX training," 737 wrote on their social media. "Also, thanks to Ron Herlick for helping to unload the vehicles."
TREX provides auto extraction training and equipment. The program is supported by one-time funding of $5.6 million from SGI and administered by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA).
"Comprehensive programs like TREX ensure that firefighters in Saskatchewan have the skills and tools needed for safer and more efficient responses," SPSA President and Fire Commissioner Marlo Pritchard said. "The training provided will improve the safety of Saskatchewan residents and the firefighters responding to motor vehicle collisions."
The first of its kind in Canada, the TREX Program was developed in collaboration with the Saskatchewan Volunteer Fire Fighters Association (SVFFA), the Saskatchewan Association of Fire Chiefs (SAFC) and the Provincial Training Standards Committee. The program's objectives are to:
Enhance capacity for fire departments to respond to motor vehicle collisions through the provision of funded training and equipment.
Ensure participating fire departments can maintain their response levels by having set program criteria.
Provide the SPSA and SGI with the ability to measure program success for a minimum of five years once each participating community enters the maintenance phase of the program.
"Volunteer firefighters are often first on the scene of collisions in rural Saskatchewan, so it's vital they have the training and equipment they need," said Minister Responsible for SGI Don Morgan. "As vehicle technology advances, this program will continue to support their ability to respond to collisions safely and effectively."
