New fire hall grand opening will be a time to celebrate

The Estevan Fire Rescue Service (EFRS) is looking forward to the grand opening of its new fire hall.

A ceremony will happen at the building on Jan. 20, starting at 2 p.m. Fire Chief Dale Feser said they have a number of dignitaries from the community and across the province who will be present.

Mayor Roy Ludwig has confirmed his attendance. Souris-Moose Mountain MP Robert Kitchen and Ralph Goodale, the federal minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, have been invited.

The fire department has also reached out to Duane McKay, the commissioner of fire safety and emergency management, along with fire departments from the surrounding area, the Saskatchewan Association of Fire Chiefs and the Saskatchewan Volunteer Firefighters Association.

“Hopefully they’ll be able to make their presence and attend this particular event,” said Feser.

Not only will there be a ribbon-cutting ceremony, but there will be a hose uncoupling.

“We’re going to add our fire hall flavour to the ribbon-cutting,” said Feser. “We’re going to have a length of hose that the mayor will uncouple, similar to cutting of the ribbon. And then we’re going to stencil on the date that the grand opening was on that particular hose, and we’re going to use it as a display.”

Following the ribbon and the hose cutting ceremonies, Feser said the fire department is looking to have another unique moment. Members of the fire department, and possibly dignitaries and members of the public, will then push the fire truck into the fire hall. Feser hopes to have a pipe band playing as the fire truck is rolled inside.

“It’s history or tradition, moreso when it involves new fire truck, but we’re going to do it with the new fire station,” said Feser.

Pastor Geoff Thiessen from the Estevan Church of God has been picked to bless the building.

Feser said the fire hall grand opening marks a historical event for the fire department.

The EFRS is also marking 110 years of serving the community this year, and so it’s exciting to have the grand opening of a fire station in a milestone year. He expects the ceremony will mark the highlight of the year for the department.