Apr 19, 2021

Every 3 months our crews participate in an immersive medical training scenario involving a sophisticated manikin. Each scenario is unique and can require a variety of equipment and skillsets. As each scenario is different, they take place in different locations in and around the community.

Apr 19, 2021

From April 11-17th, we are celebrating National Emergency Telecommunication Week!

Dispatchers play a critical role in the response and outcome of an emergency event. Not only do they dispatch appropriate resources to the scene of an emergency, but they monitor the safety of all first responders and members of the public.

As we celebrate National Emergency Telecommunications Week, and we want to recognize the men and women who work in our Emergency Communications Centre here in Strathcona County. 

Our dispatch centre is responsible answering 911 calls for 28 different Alberta municipalities, combining to serve over 170,000 residents.

In 2020 alone, there were over 39,000 calls taken, or an average of 104 calls per day!

When you call 9-1-1, our dispatchers are the calm in the midst of chaos. We are always grateful for all the work they do!!

Apr 12, 2021

This past February, Strathcona Firefighter/Paramedic Andrew Buchanan was one of 40 brave people who endured frigid sub zero temperatures to participate in a record-setting initiative to raise money for an amazing cause. 


The World's Longest Hockey Game has been taking place right here in Strathcona County for the last few years. Each year players take the ice to play hockey non-stop for consecutive days in order to raise money for the Cure Cancer Foundation. This year the fundraising efforts were focused to support a local clinical study in lymphoma and tumor patients, with the fundraising goal of $1.5 million. This year, Andrew and 39 other players took the ice for over 252 consecutive hours from February 4-15. Players played shifts of up to eight hours while braving temperatures below -50C. 



This year marked the first time a Firefighter/Paramedic has played in the game. Andrew, a goalie set a goal of raising $100,000 and by the end of the 252 hours was able to nearly reach his goal. At times, temperatures were so cold that the hockey pucks were shattering. Players were battling frost bite and as equipment and heaters were breaking down, players layered up as best they could to continue the game, day and night.



Throughout the game, Andrew's main source of motivation was the inspiration he gathered from those Cancer has affected. He dedicated the game to all first responders across Canada and their families who are affected by Cancer. 

Take a look at who Andrew is and why he joined the World's Longest Hockey Game

May 27, 2020

(via Sherwood Park News)
Amid the darkness of COVID-19, it was a moment of joy along the side of a highway.

On Sunday evening at 8:33 p.m., April 19, Strathcona County Emergency Services was called to the corner of the Yellowhead Highway and Range Road 220, where Sarah MacDonell was in labour and needed immediate help delivering her baby girl. Traveling along with her husband, Ryan from their acreage near Chipman, the couple only drove about 20 minutes west on route to the Royal Alexandra Hospital but quickly came to the realization that their fourth daughter was not about to wait any longer to come into the world.

“It was a little scary, to be honest. It was just a lot. It was like ‘this is happening right now, we can’t do anything’,” said mother. “It came on quite faster than I had expected.”

“The week before on Tuesday I had been getting contractions for a while so we ended up going into the Royal Alex because we were pretty sure it was happening, but the labour ended up stalling out. So, at home for the past five days, I was getting contractions on and off each day, when it started up again, I wasn’t positive if it was legit or not so I said I didn’t want to rush in yet and to just wait, but we waited too long.”

Luckily, a midwife was coaching her through on the phone while the couple waited for the ambulance to arrive. Within minutes of SCES arriving, MacDonell wasn’t able to get on to the stretcher and after a minute of pushing in the front seat of the car, she gave birth to a healthy baby girl weighing six pounds, five ounces at 8:44 p.m., who will likely be named Presley.

MacDonell joked her husband was ready for anything, as they operate a farm; “He’s pretty good with those kinds of things, so he was ready to catch the baby no problem. I lucked out. It was quite the experience, but at least he was very chill about it all.”

SCES deputy chief Devin Capcara noted the couple did the right thing by calling 9-11 for help. All department members are trained for labour deliveries during a six-week practicum and it’s refreshed every two years, along with annual simulation training for rare events.

“It’s one of the more rare calls that we get, probably no more than a couple a year,” Capcara said, adding three members responded to the April 19 call.

One of the SCES members involved was paramedic of seven years, Jas Weslosky, who said the delivery went smoothly as the mother knew exactly what she was doing with three previous labours under her belt. Having finished his final practicum for the Advanced Care Parademic program at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, including a labour and delivery rotation, he is thankful to the nursing staff and doctors who prepared him for calls like this.

“Having Strathcona County surrounded by major highways and the Anthony Henday, we definitely have had these roadside deliveries before. Generally, it’s people who are headed to the hospital and don’t quite make it all the way before contacting 9-11. I can say this is the first time I’ve delivered in the front seat of their personal vehicle,” Weslosky told The News.

“It was definitely a nice change of pace to be a part of something like this. Unfortunately, we get a fair amount of doom and gloom in our profession, especially with the current events unfolding in Canada and around the world. Stories like this are a breath of fresh air at a time when people are struggling. It’s a great reminder that there will always be some good to find in the world, even if you have to dig a bit to find it,” the local paramedic added.

The department congratulated the couple on their new addition.

“I would like to thank them for allowing us to be a part of their story. We wish them all of the best,” said Weslosky.

Likewise, the family thanked SCES for a quick response.

“We’re so thankful that they got there just in time and they were able to deliver her and get us to the hospital safely. We’re very, very grateful, said MacDonell.

Despite, the current pandemic, the deputy chief said life continues on; “There are certain parts of our lives that continue to march on. There are things that we can do to control our interactions with one another, but Mother Nature is not going to pause something like pregnancy because of something like COVID-19, so we need to be prepared and take precautions and we need to celebrate these positive moments of our lives.”

The newborn has quickly become the apple of her sisters’ eyes; Paisley, 4, Payton, 3, and Paige, 11 months.

“They love her so much. The youngest isn’t quite too sure about her yet, but she’s still a baby herself, so that will take some time. But our oldest, who is turning five soon, won’t put her down, even when I need to feed her. She’s always asking ‘Can I hold her yet?,” said the mom.

lmorey@postmedia.com

twitter.com/LindsayDMorey

Jun 27, 2019

Local firefighters climb over 1,200 stairs for international charity event

Mar 14, 2019

Did you know that in Strathcona County all our Firefighters are also Paramedics? Watch this to learn what that means. 

Apr 12, 2021

This past February, Strathcona Firefighter/Paramedic Andrew Buchanan was one of 40 brave people who endured frigid sub zero temperatures to participate in a record-setting initiative to raise money for an amazing cause. 


The World's Longest Hockey Game has been taking place right here in Strathcona County for the last few years. Each year players take the ice to play hockey non-stop for consecutive days in order to raise money for the Cure Cancer Foundation. This year the fundraising efforts were focused to support a local clinical study in lymphoma and tumor patients, with the fundraising goal of $1.5 million. This year, Andrew and 39 other players took the ice for over 252 consecutive hours from February 4-15. Players played shifts of up to eight hours while braving temperatures below -50C. 



This year marked the first time a Firefighter/Paramedic has played in the game. Andrew, a goalie set a goal of raising $100,000 and by the end of the 252 hours was able to nearly reach his goal. At times, temperatures were so cold that the hockey pucks were shattering. Players were battling frost bite and as equipment and heaters were breaking down, players layered up as best they could to continue the game, day and night.



Throughout the game, Andrew's main source of motivation was the inspiration he gathered from those Cancer has affected. He dedicated the game to all first responders across Canada and their families who are affected by Cancer. 

Take a look at who Andrew is and why he joined the World's Longest Hockey Game

Mar 11, 2019

Canadian Fire Fighters have played an integral role for Muscular Dystrophy Canada since 1954, when a group of parents with children who were affected by Muscular Dystrophy approached a Fire Department and requested assistance in raising funds. With the Fire Fighters leading the way, Muscular Dystrophy Canada conducted the first residential canvass in Toronto, and raised more than $200,000 for research. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) pledged their continuing support "until a cure is found."
Since that time, Muscular Dystrophy Canada has become a National Organization supported by more than 600 Fire Departments and Associations across Canada, who currently raise over $2.8 million dollars annually – for a total of $64.1 million since 1954.

Strathcona County Firefighters became officially involved with Musculary Dystrohy Canada in 1982, and have continued to grow in our support of the estimated 50,000 Canadians with neuromuscular disorders. Annual fund raisers such as the Fire Fighters Car Wash, Roof Top Campouts, and boot drives help us work toward our fundraising goals to this organization. Mike Nicholson a Lieutenant with local 2461 is the western regional chairperson of M.D.C.