The Redwood Meadows fire chief is so dedicated to his volunteer position and community he recently delayed his life-long dream.
Redwood Meadows Emergency Services (RMES) fire chief Rob Evans, who is a City of Calgary senior emergency communications officer, dreams of becoming a paid firefighter. However, when an assistant deputy chief job with the Calgary Fire Department became available last year, he chose not to apply.
“If I’d been successful I would have had to leave my position here,” said Evans of his post at Redwood Meadows. “It’s very rewarding to serve the community and that’s how much this job means to me.”
Redwood Meadows Emergency Services means a lot to all of the volunteers and it shows in their performance.
Redwood Meadows Emergency Services is a volunteer run fire department, located in the townsite of Redwood Meadows, which provides fire, rescue, and emergency medical first response to Redwood Meadows, the hamlet of Bragg Creek, and surrounding areas.
Rocky View County councillor Liz Breakey said as a volunteer run fire station, she is continually impressed with the professional fire and emergency services the RMES provides to the community.
“They take pride in their work and care so deeply,” said Breakey. “I have heard only accolades about them.”
City of Lethbridge fire chief Brian Cornforth said he has observed the RMES for the past 20 years, and they are supported strongly by their community.
“The RMES showcase themselves very well,” said Cornforth. “What I’ve seen from the team is that they’re very dedicated.”
The RMES is funded by Redwood Meadows townsite property taxes, Municipal Sustainability Initiative funding and their own fundraising organization, the Redwood Meadows Firefighters’ Association.
They are also on retainer with Rocky View County, and are paid on a cost-per-call basis by the MD of Foothills and the Tsuu T’ina First Nation when they respond to emergencies in those areas.
Evans said the RMES has a good reputation within the firefighting community.
“We are looked upon as one of the best volunteer fire departments in Alberta with regards to how we operate our station,” he said.
“Our equipment is newer, safer, and standardized, and everyone is protected by up-to-date turn-out gear. We’ve become the best equipped fire department in Alberta because of the availability of MSI funding and our relationship with our townsite council.”
Redwood Meadows mayor John Welsh said RMES is one of the best financially supported volunteer fire departments in Canada.
“The RMES will be allocated 30 per cent of the Redwood Meadows townsite capital budget this year,” said Welsh. “There is nothing else they need in terms of equipment.”
Evans said his department is also well regarded as a training station. RMES hosts training courses for firefighters from departments across southern Alberta.
“We continually offer courses that are needed,” said Evans. “We don't just teach what our department does, but we also learn from the students new and better ways to do our jobs, and reach the common goal of having well-trained firefighters.”
Evans said that 70 per cent of his firefighters are also cross-trained as either Emergency Medical Responders (EMR) or Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT).
RMES responds to medical calls and they often are on scene before the closest ambulances and paramedics can arrive from neighbouring Priddis or Cochrane, according to Evans.
“Our average on-scene time, before those other emergency medical services arrive, is 16 minutes, and this shortens the time on-scene for those paramedics, so they can get people to the hospital faster in the case of an emergency,” said Evans.
Welsh said this RMES medical service is vital to the safety and care of his residents.
“From a first-response standpoint they are the only game in town for fire and emergency services,” said Welsh. “Our residents, and those from surrounding communities, need their protection.”
He said the station is successful due to a core group of local dedicated firefighters.
“Fire chief Rob and his wife, captain/EMT Jennifer Evans, deputy fire chief George Low, captain Gary Robertson and former fire chief Ed Boen give their lives to our station,” said Welsh.
“My biggest fear is losing these volunteers,” he said.
While his department has been able to recruit and retain volunteers without a financial incentive, Evans said financial aid is important for the future viability of volunteer fire departments across Canada.
The federal government implemented the volunteer firefighters tax credit, which provides income tax relief for volunteer firefighters, beginning in the 2011 tax year. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requires volunteer fire fighters work 200 hours annually in order to qualify for this tax credit, and RMES firefighters average over 500 hours each year.
“My team goes above and beyond what the CRA requires in terms of the standard for volunteer fire fighters,” said Evans. “The biggest joke we have right now is that this is the lowest paying full-time job that many of our firefighters will ever have.”
