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Fire calls abnormally low, MVCs concerning

While the number of wildland fires that the St. Paul Fire Department responded to during the 2017 season is dramatically lower than usual, the number of motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) occurring in the area remains a concern for St.

While the number of wildland fires that the St. Paul Fire Department responded to during the 2017 season is dramatically lower than usual, the number of motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) occurring in the area remains a concern for St. Paul’s Fire Chief.

“We’ve seen a decrease in fires, year over year,” says Fire Chief Trevor Kotowich, when summing up the year so far. He adds that the decrease isn’t a local, or provincial one, but rather something that is being seen across North America.

“And, that’s certainly a good thing.”

As of Sept. 30, the St. Paul Fire Department had only responded to two structures fires in 2017 – one within the Town of St. Paul, and one within the County of St. Paul.

“One thing we noticed was that we did not have a wild land fire season this year,” explains Kotowich. Normally, the department responds to at least 40 wild land calls, and sometimes up to 60 in a season. This year, that number dropped all the way down to 10.

“We’ve also experienced unprecedented moisture this year,” says Kotowich. He adds that the heavy snowfall in early spring kept things wet throughout most of the season. “Things didn’t burn.”

But one statistic that concerns Kotowich is the number of MVCs the department has been responding to. As of Sept. 30, the department had responded to 37 MVCs.

“It’s higher than average,” says Kotowich, adding, “That number is alarming.”

And while the department doesn’t get involved in the investigation side of things, the fire chief believes that many collisions are due to undue care and attention.

“Speed is also a factor.”

He adds that while the number of MVCs had appeared to be decreasing, he credits that likely to an overall decrease in the amount of traffic in the area, which was a result of the economy and less oil and gas activity. Lately, the traffic seems to have increased once again.

On another note, the department has responded to 12 vehicle fires so far this year, which seems to be up, says Kotowich. Overall, the department has been called out to 102 events, which also includes some medical calls, and other things.

That number is a little lower than usual, due to the low number of wild land fires.

The department attended nine downed power line calls in 2017, due to strong storms moving through the area. While the members have nothing to do with utilities, the department responds to the calls to “ensure safe surrounding,” and make sure no one goes near the power lines.

Over the past year, the St. Paul Fire Department has also shifted how it coordinates the training of its members, and those changes are paying off, says the fire chief.

Of the 36 current members, 26 are now 1001 certified, and five members are halfway through their certification.

“That’s a great achievement,” says Kotowich. He adds that the move toward training members in-house has results in less travelling for members, and lots of money being saved.

“We’re seeing it pay off in dividends.”

Because training can be done in St. Paul, the members are training n the same equipment they use when they are going out on calls, which is also a huge benefit. And, with facilities and expertise right in town, other neighbouring fire departments, such as Ashmont and Mallaig, can benefit and also do training locally.

The St. Paul Fire Department will be hosting is annual open house on Oct. 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a meet and greet with members, along with tours of the fire hall, demonstrations, food, and even rides in the fire trucks.

“We’re really hoping the weather cooperates,” says Kotowich, adding, the event will go on, rain or shine.

The afternoon also offers residents who are interested in becoming volunteer fire fighters the chance to stop by and talk with members, ask questions, and see the facility.

“We are actively recruiting for three spots,” says Kotowich. Successful new members would have a January start date.


Janice Huser

About the Author: Janice Huser

Janice Huser has been with the St. Paul Journal since 2006. She is a graduate of the SAIT print media journalism program, is originally from St. Paul and has a passion for photography.
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