Chief Wayne Benson Passes

It is with extreme sadness and heavy hearts that we are writing this. We have lowered our flags, and now it is time to inform the community of our heart wrenching news. We have lost a pillar in the fire world and community, a dedicated, caring and selfless individual. Chief Wayne Benson passed away on April 17, 2025. Chief Benson was the Fire Chief of South Pigeon Lake Fire Department for 10 years and was the Fire Chief on Mulhurst Bay Fire Department for 14 years prior to that. His commitment and dedication to the Pigeon Lake community as a whole is inspiring and was unwavering. His over 50 years experience and knowledge in the Fire service led the South Pigeon Lake Fire Department to become what we are today. He was a true friend, stopping anything to help anyone in need. SPLFD not only lost our Chief, but we also lost our friend, our leader and our Brother. With that loss comes the knowledge that we have gained an angel on all our shoulders, knowing Chief will always be watching over us. We can only hope that as time goes on that everything SPLFD does will make you proud Chief. You will always be missed but never forgotten. Rest easy now Chief, we will take it from here.

Calling 911

Calling 911 from a cell phone

While cell phones can be helpful to access 911 services, they have limitations.

Be aware that your call can fail with poor or no reception due to things like geography/environment, adverse weather conditions, building materials/structures and remote areas.

If your call fails, consider:
- calling from a landline
- moving locations

Know your location!
- Pay attention to road signs when travelling, especially in rural areas, so you can provide an accurate location should something happen
- Know your blue sign (rural address)

Visit the Alberta 911 website for a great fact sheet and brochure!

How to FireSmart your home and property.

Homes and buildings ignite because of the materials, condition, and everything that surrounds them. The area within 30 metres of the home is called the Home Ignition Zone (HIZ). Within it are three priority areas, each requiring specific actions. Start by reducing your risk in the Immediate Zone and work your way outward.

Immediate Zone
0 – 1.5 metres

Reduce the chance of wind-blown embers igniting your home:
Ensure a 1.5 metre non-combustible surface surrounds your home.

Clear vegetation and combustible materials.

Avoid planting woody shrubs or trees.

Intermediate Zone
1.5 – 10 metres

Prevent fire from reaching your home:
Plant fire-resistant vegetation and avoid woody debris, including bark mulch.
Use non-combustible landscaping materials.
Remove combustibles like firewood, construction materials, and patio furniture.

Extended Zone
10 – 30 metres

Limit the intensity of fire:
Maintain a minimum of 3 metres of horizontal space between evergreen trees.
Clear branches lower than 2 metres from the ground.
Regularly clean up fallen branches, dry grass, and needles.

FireSmart your home
FireSmart your yard
FireSmart your property

For More Information check out this link

FireSmart Alberta - FireSmart Alberta

Training Schedule

We train and practice all aspects of fire fighting including wild land fires, grass fires, structure fires, vehicle fires, vehicle extrication, water and ice rescue, high angle rescue, search and rescue, first aid, C-spine, AED, and oxygen administration taught and practiced at a fire fighter level.

Auxiliary training includes traffic management, Stars landing zone preparation, power and natural gas safety, meth lab and grow op safety, multi casualty incident management just to mention a few.

Donations

Thank You for your donations in 2017:

Conoco Phillips, The Pearson Family, The Lakedell Ag Society, The Village at Pigeon Lake, Ag Foods, JAB Motorsports, The Village Emporium, Chef'n, Wetaskiwin Motorsports, Jared Holmans ( Techno Metal Posts)

Thank you for your donations 2018:

Chef N, CN Rail, Village of Pigeon Lake (Thrill of the Grill), 4-H Foundation, MaMeO Days (Pancake Breakfast), Taste of Summer (Darrel Bohlender), Backstreet Antiques, Village Pizza

Thank you for your donations 2019 - 2021

Backstreet Antiques, Village Pizza, Falun Co-op, Taste of Summer, Chef N, Village of Pigeon Lake (Thrill of the Grill), Lakedell 4-H, Ma Me O Days (Pancake Breakfast), High Line Equipment, Jab Motor Sports, Allspec Plumbing and Heating, Village Emporium, Taste of Summer

SPL Fire and Rescue

South Pigeon Lake Fire Department

Home

In Any Emergency Call 911

Chief Wayne Benson Passes

Mission Statement

Our mission is to educate, provide protection to life, property, and our environment by providing coordinated, competent, and cost effective emergency response and life safety services to our defined service level.

Fire Permits are required March 1 - October 31, 2024