Picture Butte is the typical rural Alberta community with a population of 2,000 and a heavy agricultural focus . The people of this thriving prairie town live on the crop and cattle industry . It ’ s a family-oriented town with a strong community feel . No matter the project , everyone shows up . BBQ fundraisers will see over 90 % of the town turning out .
The community is approximately 80 % residential , however , there are still unique challenges presented to its firefighters and paramedics . The environment varies from built-up urban areas — with the typical residential , commercial , and industrial structures — to extremely remote wildland areas that present water supply issues to the department .
Recently , we had an opportunity to sit and chat with Fire Chief Frank West , a second-generation fire chief in the community where his family has been highly involved for years . Frank ’ s father was the community fire chief , and three of his sisters , along with his brother , have been involved with the department at different times . Chief West joined the department officially at 17 years old , although he had been around it most of his life . He says one of his proudest moments was serving alongside his dad and two of his siblings at the same time . Chief West has been with Picture Butte Emergency Services ( PBES ) for 15 years and has spent the last six in the top role , leading the department forward . He became the first paid fire chief in the community in 2019 .
The department is an integrated Fire & Emergency Medical Services operation , with a full roster topping out at 32 members . Currently , just like other communities , recruitment and retention can be tough , with just 30 members on the team at this time . They have a full-time fire chief , 4 full-time Primary Care Paramedics ( PCPs ), a full-time bylaw officer , 14 casual PCPs , and 10 paid-oncall firefighters . PBES operates two ambulances under contract to Alberta Health Services , including a 24-houra-day Emergency unit as well as a daytime peak unit , primarily scheduled as a non-emergency transport crew . In 2022 , the department responded to more than 300 calls for the fire service , with 13 structure fires . On the EMS side of the house , they have an annual call volume of more than 1,200 . They operate from a single fire station , with a fleet of nine apparatus including light vehicles and ambulances . One of the biggest challenges Chief West identified was funding . He describes his department as “ hitting outside our league ” when it comes to service delivery and training .
In 2021 , Picture Butte Emergency Services took delivery of a new Metalfab HEAT fire engine . This project was a partnership between the community , Safetek Profire , and Metalfab . As with many rural fire halls , space is a concern , and they had to design a truck to fit within a certain footprint .
Chief West was drawn to the Metalfab HEAT design as it offered lots of features and ergonomics , all within a small package . They were able to get their desired pump size , additional discharges , and a large tank for their rural operations . Says the Chief , “ The truck hits all aspects we require .”
The engine was ordered just before COVID struck the world , and everything adjusted to fit the “ new normal .” A virtual preconstruction was held , and communication was prompt and direct throughout the process . Things had opened up and allowed for an in-person final inspection at the Centreville , New Brunswick , factory . The Chief found everyone at Metalfab and Safetek Profire very accommodating to make it all come together , and he appreciates “ organizations that bring solutions ” forward .
' The future is bright for this ' Little Department ' on the Prairie .”
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