Volunteer firefighters Paul Fisher (right) and Lance Resch (left) stand in front of a fire truck in Kronau Fire Hall. Photo by Gillian Massie.

Kronau volunteer firefighters have been dousing fires without any fire hydrants for the last century.

“Our access to water is limited to pretty much what we can carry and the closest available water source,” said Paul Fisher, chief of Kronau’s volunteer fire department.

Fisher has been a volunteer for 15 years, becoming chief several years ago while also looking after firefighting and administrative duties for the department. Fisher also works as an electrician in the hamlet.

Kronau Fire Hall faces unique challenges as a rural emergency firefighting service. Access to emergency fire services can be a struggle for communities in rural areas because of lack of infrastructure.

With no fire hydrants, the volunteer fire department relies on the RM water tank that holds 6500 gallons of water. It takes approximately 4000 gallons to put out a house. Water is precious, and the department is lenient on how many gallons they spray per minute. They can narrow the nozzles from 250 gallons per minute to 30 gallons per minute.

“You’re not getting the full effect with the water,” said Fisher, “but you’re still buying yourself some time.”

Access to the water tank is allowed in the summer months. The department has to be more resourceful in the winter months as the fire truck only carries 2700 gallons of water.

Located just off Highway 33, the grey steel firehall with red lettering is where the fire and rescue volunteers store their equipment.  Kronau fire and rescue relies on the help of volunteers to help run its fire department.

“Everybody’s good,” said Fisher, “you feel some kind of responsibility to everybody.”

Despite being chief, there are no additional wages that come with operating the fire hall. When firefighters begin to get paid by the government, additional liabilities present themselves, so Kronau’s firefighters are all volunteers. Volunteers are not required by law to partake in anything dangerous.

“The major difference was that it’s their job,” said Sarah Leippi, a volunteer who also operates the departments Facebook page. “The mentality is a little bit different.

“People who sign up for this don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. It’s just out of the goodness of your heart.”

While Leippi said she will never be seen running into a burning building, she is a valuable asset to the team as she works the night shift as a nurse. Her Facebook page keeps people updated on traffic delays when accidents happen and is purely in place for public announcement to be aware when to slow down on the scene of an accident.

The Kronau Fire Department has taken 16 fire calls so far this year. Six of the calls have been to accidents at the same spot, an old bridge two miles out of Kronau that is under construction to have its culverts replaced.

“We’ve talked to the RM, they’ve talked to the contractor and Department of Highways about signage,” said Fisher.

“I’m not sure what it is. It’s not inattention. One was actually fairly serious. There were two girls in a vehicle who definitely required hospitalization and treatment. I don’t know if it’s distracted driving or bad signage.”

While Kronau is only a hamlet of about 250 residents, they are still a mighty force in rural areas with a fire hall that is only 10 years old. The new fire hall was promoted by Dale Walthman, a town councillor who had a previous career with City of Regina fire station. His name adorns the fire hall.

Chief Fisher remembers Walthman’s contribution to the new fire hall:

“He got involved and said, ‘If you’re providing a service, you need better equipment.’ He was the one that spearheaded the hall itself, and ever since then the councillors realized they’re liable for it. That’s not just something you can shop out.”

The old fire hall was not even a fire hall – but the old town shop that was incredibly run down being built in the 60s. The new fire hall outmatches the old with three bay’s instead of one. The newest edition is a top of the line fire truck that the fire hall took possession of in 2017.

Volunteering within such a small community has its setbacks, but also its benefits. After responding to calls, Leippi appreciates how supportive the other volunteers and Fisher are:

“Always stay in debrief. Always. If you ever need help, like our chief is absolutely amazing…

“If you feel like you need to talk about it, we’re always here for each other.”

Debriefing after a call is incredibly important to emphasize each of the volunteers mental, physical, and emotional wellness. A debrief is a time to analyze the situation and talk about what occurred during the call.

“There’s a few things some people have seen and I feel bad about them having to see.” Said Fisher. “But I kind of feel that I should be the ones to take it on, but I couldn’t do it alone.”