Castor Volunteer Fire Rescue had a busy 2021.
Due to the hot and dry conditions during the summer of 2021, the department responded to more fires than usual.
While the Castor fire department normally sees a call volume sitting in the mid-30s per year, 2021 had the volunteers responding to 57 calls for a total of 1,339 man-hours on calls.
Comparatively speaking, in 2020 the department responded to 42 calls for a total of 591 man-hours.
The major increase for Castor’s call increase in 2021 was in the area of grass fires, responding to 24 this year compared to just four in 2020.
Other calls responded to in 2021 include 15 motor vehicle collisions, five medical assistance calls, three structure fires, and two alarm calls.
In addition to the time spent responding, the volunteers also spent a considerable amount of time training and working to get the new fire hall in shape.
According to fire Chief Patrick Kelly training has backed off some in 2021, though the volunteers spent 624 hours working on their skills, including the recertification of their Medical First Responder (MFR) certification.
Currently nine firefighters in the department have MFR Training.
To prepare the new fire hall, volunteers have spent 1,733 hours including demolition, painting, flooring, cement prep, work, and other ongoing projects to prepare the facility for habitation.
Fortunately, the end of that project is in sight, with the department set to move in to the building over Jan. 8 and 9, and members set to respond out of the building as of Jan. 9.
“It’s really nice,” said Kelly.
“We were able to cut some costs and utilize an existing building. It’s kind of nice that way.”
Castor Volunteer Fire Rescue was budgeting to build a new fire hall in 2022 anyways, so the move into their new quarters has them just about on schedule.
The new facility has more room overall, with an isolation room for their gear to off gas, a training room, a meeting room and a couple of offices.
“I can get out of the town office,” said Kelly.
“It’s a huge change for us. You have to see it to believe it.”
While the department would like to host an open house once they are fully moved in and organized in their new space, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the spiking Omicron variant Kelly is unsure when or if that will be possible, at least for the foreseeable future.
Once the move is complete and the members get settled into their new home, the plan is to refocus on training and potentially hold a membership drive.
With winter having a firm hold on the prairies, Kelly asks that everyone check on the condition of their extension cords, ensuring they are good shape, and that people not try not to use them to operate space heaters.
“Make sure your plugins on all your outdoor stuff is in good shape,” said Kelly.
“And make sure your wood burning stuff is monitored properly.”