UPDATE: Recruitment is now closed for non-local residents.

YOU can make a difference, have fun, help the community, and be part of a great team! You won't regret the choice.

Recruitment is now open for non-local residents: Recruitment

We often get asked “when should I call 9-1-1”, here’s some tips:

When should you call 9-1-1?

Call 9-1-1 immediately if you experience:

• Severe difficulty breathing, especially that does not improve with rest.
• Chest pain
• A fast heartbeat at rest especially if it’s associated with shortness of breath or feeling faint
• You witness someone faint/pass out or someone is unresponsive
• Difficulty speaking, numbness, or weakness of any part of the body
• Sudden dizziness, weakness or mental changes (confusion, very odd behavior, difficulty walking)
• Sudden blindness or vision changes
• Heavy bleeding
• Broken bones visible through an open wound, or a broken leg
• Drowning
• Choking
• Severe burns
• Allergic reaction, especially if there is any difficulty breathing
• Poisoning or drug overdose
• New severe headache
• Sudden intense severe pain
• Someone is threatening to hurt or kill themselves or someone else
• Or, see an uncontrolled fire

When in doubt, call 9-1-1!

If you're not sure whether extra help is needed, call 9-1-1 and the trained dispatcher will help advise you. It is better to be safe and let the 9-1-1 call taker determine if you need emergency assistance.

What to do if you call 9-1-1 by mistake:

If you call by mistake, do not hang up, just stay on the line and tell the dispatcher that everything is OK. If you hang up, they may send help to your location to investigate if there is a problem.

Finally, please do not phone the fire hall or send a social media message to alert to an emergency, call 9-1-1.

Did you know…RMES offers first aid courses in the community? If you’re interested in receiving more information, email George.Low@RMESFire.Org.

Until next month, stay safe!

YOU can make a difference, have fun, help your community, and be part of a great team! You won't regret the choice.

Recruitment is now open for local community members: Recruitment

Whether camping, partying or just relaxing in your RV, fire safety is essential. It’s critical that every member of your party know what to do in an emergency or fire.  If you’re one of the many recreational vehicle enthusiasts who love to explore our beautiful country, ensure your family’s safety while travelling in your RV by following these fire safety guidelines:

1. In an emergency, make sure we can find you – SECONDS DO COUNT!  When travelling in an RV, it’s crucial to know your location so first responders can find you in the event of an emergency.  Be aware of your location and surroundings.
2. Most campgrounds are in remote areas that may not provide cell phone coverage. Confirm cell reception when you arrive at your overnight location and ensure everyone in your party knows where they “can” get cell coverage in case of an emergency.
3. When vacationing in an isolated area, keep in mind that help from emergency services may be some distance away. It’s vital that you eliminate your risk from fire and have a fire escape plan in place that everyone is familiar with and has practices.  Have at least two escape routes – one in the front and one in the rear of the RV.  Test all escape windows, hatches and door latches for smooth operation.  As soon as they’re old enough, teach children how to open escape hatches and emergency exists and have them practice.
4. First rule of RV fire safety is: save lives first and property second.  Get you and your family to safety before attempting to extinguish any fire.  Never re-enter a burning RV to retrieve anything – GET OUT & STAY OUT!
5. Install and maintain at least one smoke alarm in your RV near the sleeping area.
6. Install and maintain at least one carbon monoxide alarm in your RV near the sleeping area.
7. Install a propane alarm leak alarm at floor level, no more than 6 inches above the floor.
8. Test all the smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms and propane alarms weekly when the RV is in use.
9. Install a fully charged multi-purpose or ABC fire extinguisher in an easily accessible location in the RV.
10. Remember, DON’T FIGHT A FIRE unless you have called 911 first.  A fire extinguisher is not substitute for the fire department.

Until next month, stay safe!

Redwood Meadows Emergency Services wants to ensure you have an enjoyable and safe summer. Here are some good tips to keep in mind:

• Keep children and pets away from fireworks, stoves, grills and campfires.
• Bring a fire extinguisher or fire blanket with you on outdoor trips. This way, you can easily extinguish the fire before it grows out of hand.
• Before you use a grill, first check the connection between the propane tank and fuel line to ensure it isn’t blocked or leaking. Be sure to not overfill the propane tank.
• Douse hot coals with plenty of water before disposing of them. Never put them inside plastic, paper or wooden trash bins or containers.
• If you build a campfire during a picnic or camping trip, keep it small and douse it completely with water using the "soak, stir, soak"; method to put it out. Check for fire bans at albertafirebans.ca.
• Formulate escape routes for houses or cottages. Practice fire drills at least twice a year.
• Leave emergency numbers near the phone.
• Use barbecue grills away from the house, from the tent or anything that can catch fire.
• When checking in at a hotel, Air BNB or renting seasonal property, don’t forget to check fire safety of the place. Examine if there are fire exits, fire extinguishing equipment, working smoke detectors and clear signage of the escape route.
• When using a lawnmower, never fuel it while it’s still hot. Give it a few minutes to cool down.
• If outside and your clothes catch on fire, use the STOP, DROP and ROLL method. Use a fire extinguisher to put out a small fire that isn’t spreading. Call 911 immediately.

Until next month, stay safe!