By Jamie Rieger

The Jenner volunteer fire department are now equipped with top-of-the-line rescue equipment, thanks to several companies who conduct business in the area.
Recently, the fire department was presented with extrication equipment for use in motor vehicle collisions and a number of other much-needed items to assist them with emergency situations.
Firefighter Jeff Lewandowski said the department responds to more motor vehicle collisions than fires and heavy traffic from workers in the oil and gas industry has increased the number of calls the fire department has been receiving.
"Every morning, there is between 500 and 600 vehicles passing through here. Even though we are in a remote area, we get a lot of traffic from the oil and gas industry and a lot of big trucks. When you have those big trucks colliding, things can get really ugly,' said Lewandowski.
Lewandowski recalled an incident last spring when two vehicles collided and firefighters were helpless in extricating one of the drivers because they lacked adequate equipment.
"Last spring, there was an accident, Some guys working on the rig were getting off-shift and one went through the stop sign and got hit by a big truck. We had to wait about one-and-a-half hours for the rescue unit to come from Tilley with extrication equipment. We had an ambulance and helicopter waiting too," said Lewandowski.
"That is a lot of valuable time and money. The guy, who is from Medicine Hat, survived, but he ended up spending three months in Foothills Hospital recovering from his injuries and it is because of that accident that Encana started all this," he added.
Donations for the hydraulic rescue equipment were made by Encana, with additional tools and equipment from Pengrowth, Husky, CNL, and Special Areas. Trans-Care Rescue from Langham, Saskatchewan supplied the equipment and provided the training, They will also be doing annual maintenance on the equipment. The equipment will be used on the Special Areas squad truck, based at the Jenner Fire Department.
Jenner volunteer firefighters have been taking extrication courses, with three attending courses in Cypress County and three who have just completed a course in Hanna.
The department responds to incidents in Cypress County, Special Areas, and the County of Newell.