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Wembley Fire Department



- Click here for the Annual Fire Service Report 2023 -


The Wembley Fire Department is a dedicated Professional Volunteer Fire Department that operates as a division of the Town of Wembley.

The Wembley Fire Department, under service contract, provides Fire, Rescue, and Medical First Response to the County Of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service and is the Primary Emergency Response Agency for the Town Of Wembley. The Fire Service contract renewed in 2022 with the County of Grande Prairie now includes administrative services provided by the County Regional Fire Services Management Team inclusive of two administrative staff, one Fire Chief, two Deputy Chiefs (Operations, Training, and Logistics), Two District Chiefs (Stationed out of Wembley and Sexsmith) and the Fire Marshall who looks after investigations, inspections, code compliance, fire prevention, and education. 

Our Department holds a high standard with support from our Mayor and Council with the goal of providing our citizens and neighbors the highest quality of Emergency Response Services possible. The Wembley Fire Department houses a roster of approximately 20 Volunteer Firefighters, 2 Lieutenants, and 4 Senior Firefighters. The Town staffs one Full-Time Station Captain and one Firefighter to manage daily operations Monday to Friday. During the Spring/Summer Fire Season, we staff additional Firefighters under contract to assist in annual testing, maintenance, training, and day-time incident responses. In 2024 the department transitioned to a paid on-call model for responses. This means that a member will be financially compensated for hours of work on 9-11 calls. The goal was to ensure that members were not only compensated for their efforts but also to ensure that it did not have negative financial impacts on our members. 


   


The Wembley Fire Department in partnership with the County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service trains all new members to the NFPA 1001 Level 2 through the Alberta Office of the Fire Commissioners Public Safety Division. We are fortunate to have multiple certified NFPA 1041 Instructors in-house along with a certified First Aid and Basic Life Support instructor. In addition, to recruit training, our members meet every Thursday night for 3 hours to train on specific topics and to ensure we display competence in our skills annually. 



Have you ever wondered why when you call 911 for an ambulance the Fire Department shows up? The Wembley Fire Department noticed that due to the community's unique location between the City of Grande Prairie and the Town Of Beaverlodge, response for an ambulance can be delayed. The Fire Department is set up with Alberta Health Services as a Full Medical Co-Response Agency meaning we will respond to any medical emergency in our district no matter the severity. 



If it's not fires or medical emergencies, you have likely seen us out on Highway 43, the twined provincial highway that runs in the middle of our jurisdiction. We are fortunate to have several members with advanced training in vehicle extrication and stabilization. This is accompanied by 1 heavy rescue truck, and 1 engine both with full sets of hydraulic rescue tools "The Jaws of Life" We are prepared to best serve not only those who live here but those who visit, work, or are traveling through the area.   




Many of you have most likely heard the large roof-mounted siren at the Fire Hall sound from time to time.......sorry about waking you up in the middle of the night. This siren is set off when the responding officer believes the Incident at hand can pose an imminent danger in the community. Such events are a confirmed structure fire, gas leak, or environmental emergency. We limit testing of this siren to about 4 times a year, when we plan to test it we will update our Facebook page with the date and time.  


 
We are always happy to offer station tours, and educational materials to families, businesses, and schools at your request. Feel free to stop by the hall anytime! if we are not here contact numbers are posted on the main entrance of the hall.


 
Please check out https://www.facebook.com/wembleyfiredepartment to see what we are up to.



For information regarding the Fire Department please contact the District Fire Chief Matt Smith at masmith@countygp.ab.ca


Address: 9928 100 Street, Box 325, Wembley, AB, T0H 3S0

Office Phone: 780-766-3170

Office Hours: Monday - Friday from 0800-1700

*For Emergencies please call 9-1-1*


Ready to help? Find the application for Paid On-Call Volunteer Firefighters at the bottom of this page. If you do not hear back within 14 days of submitting your application, please forward an application directly to fireoperations@wembley.ca 


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LOCAL FIRE DANGER AND PERMIT INFORMATION

Residents in the Town of Wembley do not require a fire permit for recreational fire pits. Industrial burn permits are issued on a case-by-case basis. For any questions regarding industrial burning, please contact the Wembley Fire Department directly. Are you located outside the Town of Wembley? Residents outside the Town in the County of Grande Prairie require a valid fire permit for any burning including recreational fire pits, burn barrels, incinerators, and brush piles.

 To contact a Fire Guardian about obtaining a fire permit, click the link here - County of Grande Prairie Fire Guardians.  

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- CURRENT FIRE DANGER -


Todays fire rating is High High

 

Grande Prairie Area Update - March 27, 2024

Posted on Wed, Mar 27, 2024

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Wind-driven springtime wildfires are of concern for the next several weeks in the Grande Prairie Forest Area. Warming weather and gusty wind is causing snow to melt and disappear quickly leaving areas of dry exposed grass. Fine fuels like dead grass will ignite easily and fire can spread quickly, even under light winds. 

Wildfires can still start in cooler weather, especially in dry and windy conditions. Always use caution in forested areas. 

Report wildfires by calling 310-FIRE (3473).

fire advisory wide

A fire advisory is in effect for the Grande Prairie Forest Area section of the Forest Protection Area due to dry fuel conditions and below average snow amounts.

Under this advisory:

  • Permits will be issued on a case by case basis
  • No heavy fuel fire permits will be issued

Prohibited:

  • Any burning without a valid fire permit, other than a campfire

Never leave a campfire unattended. Soak it, stir it and soak it again until cool to the touch to ensure it is extinguished.

Stay informed of fire restrictions and fire bans in your area by checking Alberta Firebans.ca

If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3473) 

The fire advisory will remain in effect until conditions improve

Report wildfires 2022

Wildfire information
 
Since January 1, 2024, there has been nine wildfires reported in the Grande Prairie Forest Area burning nearly 75 hectares.  Of the nine wildfires, six have been extinguished, two are turned over to the responsible parties and one is listed as under control.

There are currently five carryover fires from the 2023 wildfire season. All carryover wildfires are listed as under control and are being monitored by firefighters.

For more information on the current wildfire situation, visit Alberta Wildfire Status.

Download the Alberta Wildfire app today and get access to real-time information on wildfires in your area. You can also find information on reporting wildfire, fire bans and fire updates across the province and much more all on your mobile device.

SLCN HRB March2024

(Photo: Sturgeon Lake Fire Department  March 27, 2024)

Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Hazard Reduction Burn

Hazard reduction burning in the community of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation has begun! Burning will continue until weather permits or the burn is complete. Every spring, firefighters burn areas of dry grass around the community. Burning is an efficient way to remove this extremely flammable fire fuel. Trained firefighters will be burning under specific weather conditions to ensure the fires are controlled and the impact of smoke to roadways and communities are minimized. All public roads and highways will remain open. 

 
FireSmart Alberta

Your actions today can minimize wildfire damage to your home and property tomorrow. Visit the new FireSmart Alberta site to learn how you can reduce the risk and negative impact of wildfire to your home, neighbourhood and community.

To learn more on how you can protect your home and structures from wildfire, download the Farm and Acreage FireSmart magazine.


Fire Permits

Before you burn it, get a fire permit. Fire permits help us to track what is burning on the landscape. If you're burning without a fire permit or outside fire permit conditions, your fire is considered a wildfire.  Anyone living outside the FPA can contact their municipality for information about local fire permit requirements.
Albertans living or working in the Forest Protection Area of the province can request a free fire permit by contacting your local forestry office or using the new, convenient online Fire Permit Portal. 

County West / Grovedale - (780) 814-1648
Spirit River - (780) 814-1983
Valleyview - (780) 524-6576

Please get a fire permit for any burning project, other than a campfire, and always follow our safe burning guidelines.

View a video fire permits about  by clicking here.

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Off Highway Vehicles

Before you ride, clean out hot spots and remove debris from your machine. After riding through muskeg or tall grass, stop and remove any build-up from your machine. Carry firefighting equipment such as a small shovel, collapsible pail or fire extinguisher. Wash your OHV and keep it clean; do not wash in streams and creeks.

Wildfire preparedness

Learn what you can do to prepare yourself and others in the event of a wildfire. See Wildfire preparedness for more details.

There are several ways the public can help with wildfire response either through the Wildfire Reservist Program or contracting opportunities. The safety of Albertans is our first priority. If your community is under threat of wildfire, follow the direction of your local emergency services.

View a video How you can help with wildfire response.


For more information contact:

Kelly Burke | Wildfire Information Officer

(780) 832-7235