The seventh annual Firefighter鈥檚 Ball, an evening dedicated to Assiniboia Fire Rescue, proved to be the most popular balls in the event鈥檚 history with 185 people attending on Saturday, February 29. The ball, held in the Conexus Auditorium in the Prince of Wales, featured a silent auction with all the proceeds designated to complete a Regional Training Facility in Assiniboia鈥檚 industrial area in the northeast part of town.
The ball also had a silent auction and live entertainment from Men Without Shame. Tickets were priced at $50 and were available for purchase at Chuck鈥檚 Collision Centre.
鈥淭he Fireman鈥檚 Ball started seven years ago. It was started to help with the financial needs of the fire department to replace the rescue truck and equipment for that truck. Today, we are raising funds to build a training facility to better prepare our firefighters,鈥� Chief Chuck Rust stated earlier when asked about the background of the annual occasion. 聽聽
鈥淲e鈥檝e sold more tickets than ever before,鈥� said Terry Lacelle, the Deputy Fire Chief. 鈥淲e鈥檙e really thankful for everyone who bought tickets. We鈥檙e also appreciative for our volunteer firefighters.鈥�
After cocktails and the dinner served by Fresh Start and prior to the dance, Lacelle gave a presentation on the importance of Assiniboia Fire Rescue. He also outlaid some the volunteer organization鈥檚 future objectives, particularly describing the training facility, which will assist firefighters in building their knowledge and confidence before the volunteers have to deal with fires in real time. He opened this message by thanking the kitchen staff. Lacelle also acknowledged the firefighters, law enforcement officers and military personal who鈥檇 arrived from other regions of Saskatchewan. According to Lacelle, firefighters had travelled to Assiniboia鈥檚 ball from diverse communities in the south, including Yellow Grass, Gull Lake and Shaunavon. Further, Lacelle thanked the RCMP, all emergency responders, employees with Sask Power, Sask Tel and other utility branches, the Town of Assiniboia and the event鈥檚 many sponsors.
鈥淎nd let鈥檚 not forget our auxiliary department, who are represented by most of the farmers in this room,鈥� Lacelle applauded. This rural department is crucial for assisting the department whenever there are grassfires in Assiniboia鈥檚 outer agricultural zones. 聽
Also, during his speech Lacelle invited members to consider joining their volunteer organization if they were interested. 鈥淐ome out and talk to us and if you like what you hear, we鈥檒l train you up to speed,鈥� Lacelle promised.
If a member of the public isn鈥檛 interested in joining, but is still curious about seeing how Assiniboia Fire Rescue functions, Lacelle encouraged the audience at the ball to talk with a member of the department to organize a look-around. 鈥淪top and talk to anyone of the guys. They will be glad to give you a tour.鈥� 聽聽聽聽
Lacelle listed the many ways the town and region has benefited from Assiniboia Fire Rescue. 鈥淲hat services do we provided Assiniboia?鈥� Lacelle asked then itemized some of the department鈥檚 duties and objectives. Aside from organizing and delivering critical operations connected with structural fire suppression, the department is also involved with war rescue, animal rescue, environmental fires and fire extinguisher training. 鈥淲e also do public education and help other communities,鈥� Lacelle affirmed.
