The Prince Albert Fire Department is now running one fire truck out of the Dave G. Steuart Arena. (file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

COVID-19 precautions

Local arena acting as temporary fire hall

Mar 27, 2020 | 3:17 PM

The Prince Albert Fire Department is taking steps to protect against COVID-19.

One of these steps has seen the Dave G. Steuart Arena turned into a temporary fire hall. Fire Chief Kris Olsen told paNOW the move will make it easier for the department to practice social distancing.

“We do 24/7 staff two trucks, so what we did essentially is move one truck company to an alternate location for safety,” he said.

Olsen explained the department runs four platoons and if there was an infection on one shift, they would risk losing a quarter of their staff. He said after this was discussed they went about finding a place to operate from.

Olsen said they were also aware of a situation in Saskatoon which saw some firefighters have to go into isolation after being exposed to COVID-19.

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“Regardless of it happening or not we would have ultimately made this decision with the issue that’s before all of us,” he said.

The ice was removed from the arena and there is room to park the truck inside the building. Olsen said overall the changes at the arena were minor.

“We basically made home in the dressing room and open area,” he said.

The department is also following other precautions from the Saskatchewan Health Authority. This includes making sure to clean high touch surfaces and practicing social distancing. They have also closed the fire hall to tours.

In terms of protecting firefighters on call, Olsen said if they have to deal with someone who is showing symptoms they have the equipment to protect themselves.

“That entails putting on the proper PPE,” he said.

—

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn