04/21/2026
From Fire Chief Doug Lapchuk, Balgonie Volunteer Fire and First Responders,
I am writing today to express my sincere thanks to all the people who helped make our recent training exercise an outstanding success.
Our exercise April 18th involved Balgonie Fire/Rescue, Pilot Butte Fire, White City Fire, Edenwold Fire, Emerald Park Fire, Kronau Fire, White Butte Emergency Measures Organization, Regina Bypass Maintenance, Regina EMS, White Butte RCMP, Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, Regina Fire and Protective Services, STARS Air Ambulance, Ministry of Highways.
The purpose was to establish a baseline of knowledge for our responding agencies to determine where we might need more training, as well as to help with succession planning internally for our fire departments. The training exercise was also to help establish a stronger more robust sense of continuity and collaboration between our responding agencies, communities and response structure.
I would like to take this opportunity to formally thank all the companies that stepped up to help us make this exercise a reality. All of the listed companies either provided services/goods for free or at an extremely reduced rate. I will try to make sure that I list them all below, however if I miss anyone, please accept that it is not an intentional slight or oversight. The list is as follows:
-- LS Towing - Viki – for the movement of the school buses that were used for the training as well as the exercise.
-- Alpha Fire Consulting – Brenda Lapchuk – provision of the school buses
-- National Crane Services – Larry Koch – for providing the crane to facilitate the set up of the scenario.
-- Camel Tow Towing – Chop and Brandon - movement of the half-ton as well as the final movement and cleaning up of site.
-- Loraas Disposal – for the delivery and supply of portable washrooms to site
-- Rapid Relief Team - for providing end of day burgers and drinks
-- Balgonie Fifty Plus Club - for providing access one day earlier to help us with getting set up.
-- A special note of thanks and gratitude to all the actors/actresses that braved the cold and provided the realism we were needing.
-- Fire Chief Paul Cockell, Deputy Fire Chief Darren Arsenault, Former Fire Chief Dale Feser, Fire Chief Ashley Thompson for providing the eyes and ears for proctoring the exercise.
-- Wavelength Entertainment – Chris Triffo – provision of documentary film crew to produce video of the whole exercise for future training purposes.
-- Maurice - for the provision of the half ton.
-- Members of the White Butte RCMP - Cory and Steve – for assistance with oversight and proctoring of both sites.
-- Ma**er Packaging - for the provision of the chemical totes we used.
-- SPSA – President Marlo Pritchard for a multitude of resources and personnel.
-- MLA Brad Crassweller – for taking the time to come and observe the emergency response capabilities of his constituency.
-- Last but not least all the responders who volunteer daily to keep us safe! Your drive and dedication do not go un-noticed. Thank you!
Our mutual aid partners, Regina Fire and Protective services for providing Hazmat response guidance, Regina EMS for providing equipment, and staffing to make this exercise as real as possible. Thank you!
The planning group that worked tirelessly for over a year in planning this exercise, it could not have come together without you. The RM of Edenwold, and all the members of the Emergency Measures organization who provided support knowledge and most of all a willingness to partake and learn. Thank you!
To all involved, Thank You from a grateful Chief and I am sure our communities feel safer and more confident in their community’s emergency response.
Please be safe, take care of each other and keep doing all that you do.
Douglas Lapchuk, Fire Chief/EMO Co-Ordinator, Town of Balgonie
