South Alberta Fire Rescue Academy

This past Saturday, South Alberta Fire Rescue (SAFR) students travelled to the Brooks Regional Fire Training Facility to complete their NFPA 1001 practical skills evaluations.

Throughout the day, students were assessed on a variety of essential firefighter competencies, including vertical ventilation operations, hoisting tools and equipment using rope systems, primary search and rescue techniques, victim removal, and fire suppression activities. These practical evaluations required students to demonstrate proficiency, safety, teamwork, and adherence to industry standards under realistic training conditions.

The successful completion of these skills marks an important milestone in the students’ journey toward becoming certified firefighters. We are proud of the dedication, professionalism, and determination demonstrated by each student throughout their training.

A special thank you to the instructors, evaluators, and staff at the Brooks Regional Fire Training Facility for their support in helping develop the next generation of firefighters.

A huge thank you to Deputy Chief Curtis Gouw, Captain Kent Unruh and Firefighter Christina Unruh for accompanying the students.

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We are incredibly proud to share that former Fire Academy student Quade VanderSpruit and current student Brolin VanderSpruit were recently deployed to assist in fighting the wildfires in Northern Alberta.

This is a true testament to the strength of our program and a real-world demonstration of how our students have the opportunity to step right into their career paths and make a difference, even while in high school.

Join us in thanking Quade and Brolin for their dedication, hard work, and service.
Prairie Rose Public Schools

For the third and final week of fire suppression training, South Alberta Fire Rescue (SAFR) students had the opportunity to train alongside the dedicated volunteers of the Bow Island Fire Department (BIFD).

This week’s evolutions focused on advanced suppression operations, reinforcing concepts from Chapter 14 of IFSTA Essentials 7, including fire attack coordination, nozzle control techniques, hydraulic ventilation, and maintaining crew integrity during interior structural firefighting operations. Students applied proper hose stream management while practicing direct fire attack methods, advancing charged hoselines through simulated fire conditions, and improving communication under the Incident Command System (ICS).

BIFD volunteers provided valuable mentorship and real-world experience as students refined skills in flow path control, thermal layering awareness, and coordinated ventilation tactics designed to support safe and effective fire suppression.

A huge thank you to the members of Bow Island Fire Department for investing their time, knowledge, and professionalism into the next generation of firefighters. Partnerships like these are critical in building confidence, competence, and operational readiness.

🔥 **Training Day: Turning Up the Heat with BIFD & SAFR!** 🔥
The **Bow Island Fire Department (BIFD)** had an action-packed day assisting the next generation of first responders! We rolled up to **Senator Gershaw School** to pick up the **South Alberta Fire Rescue (SAFR)** students for some high-intensity, hands-on training.
There’s no substitute for the real thing. Our students stepped out of the classroom and directly into **live fire training exercises**, getting a true taste of the heat, the gear, and the teamwork required on the line.
# # # 🛡️ Skills in Action
Beyond just managing the flames, students mastered critical tactical maneuvers, including:
* **Live Fire Suppression:** Learning fire behavior and nozzle techniques in real-time environments.
* **Hydraulic Ventilation:** Utilizing fog patterns to draw smoke and heat out of a structure—a vital skill for improving visibility and safety during a search.
# # # 🚒 Building the Future
Watching these students apply their knowledge under pressure was impressive. The dedication shown by these SAFR recruits proves that the future of fire services in Southern Alberta is in great hands.
**Stay safe, stay trained.**

👨‍🚒 **BIG FLOWS, BIG GOALS** 👩‍🚒
The heat is on for our **South Alberta Fire Rescue (SAFR)** students this week! It wasn't just about putting water on the fire; it was about mastering the sheer physics and power of "Big Water."
Our recruits took a deep dive into heavy-stream operations, mastering the skills needed to knock down large-scale incidents:
* **Taming the Dragon:** Students practiced handling and controlling high-pressure, large diameter attack lines. It takes coordination, strength, and technique to manage that much reactive force!
* **The Blitzfire Advantage:** We moved into technical setups for unmanned monitors. The **Blitzfire** is a game-changer on the fireground, and our crew learned how to deploy these safely to provide massive cooling power without tying up a full crew.
* **The Long Haul:** Advancing large diameter hose (LDH) isn't just a physical challenge—it’s a tactical one. Our students practiced efficient movement and positioning to ensure we’re always ready to strike where it counts.
The gear is heavy and the work is exhausting, but these are the skills that save property and lives. Proud to see this cohort stepping up and leaning into the challenge!

We had a very special visit at the Dunmore Firehall yesterday! The Eagle Butte SAFR Academy welcomed the Irvine Grade 1s for a full-access tour.

From fire safety sessions to navigating our confined spaces maze, our Academy students did an amazing job leading the way and sharing their passion with the next generation. It was a day full of water drills, gear demos, and a whole lot of excitement for everyone involved!

🚒 Training in Action 🚒

South Alberta Fire Rescue (SAFR) students have been hard at work building the foundational skills every firefighter relies on. This week’s focus: mastering hydrant connections and effective hose deployment.

From properly securing hose lines to hydrants to efficiently deploying and advancing lines under pressure, students are learning that speed, precision, and teamwork are critical on every call. Each evolution reinforces the importance of clear communication, situational awareness, and muscle memory when seconds matter most.

These hands-on drills are where classroom knowledge meets real-world application—preparing the next generation of firefighters to respond with confidence and competence.

Strong fundamentals. Strong crews. Strong communities. 💪🔥

Ready to trade the classroom for the training grounds? If you’ve ever dreamed of a career as a Firefighter, your journey starts next week.

The South Alberta Fire Academy (SAFR) is opening its doors, and you’re invited to see exactly what it takes to join the ranks.

📍 The Details:
When: Wednesday, March 18th @ 6:00 PM
Where: Dunmore Station
Who: Prospective students and parents.

Why Choose SAFR?
Don't wait until after graduation to start your career. At Eagle Butte High School, you can earn NFPA certifications that translate directly into the fire industry while you’re still finishing your diploma.

At Information Night, you can:
- Tour the Facility: Get an up-close look at the gear and the station.
- Meet the Instructors: Learn from the pros who have been in the field.
- Get a Head Start: Discover how to launch your career years ahead of the curve.

Stop waiting for "someday." Start moving toward your future today.