Edson Volunteer Fire Department
The Edson Fire Department currently has one full time Fire Chief, a volunteer deputy, training office, chaplain, and 36 other volunteer members who strive to protect our community should an emergency arise. Our members train weekly to maintain the highest safety standards possible. The Fire Department is responsible for the fire and rescue operations throughout the Town of Edson.
Our Volunteer firefighters are just everyday people who strongly believe in the safety and well being of their fellow residents. Words alone cannot begin to describe the dedication of our volunteer firefighters. Our members are prepared to respond to the needs of people in emergency situations at the drop of a hat. What makes our department successful is their commitment. Our firefighters are very involved throughout the community, donating their time and energy to many worthwhile causes. Edson firefighters provide tours of the fire hall, demonstrations, and participate in our local parades.
Recruitment
We are looking for new members now!
If you are interested in joining the Edson Volunteer Fire Department, please contact Fire Chief Bradley Milton or call 780-723-3178. Fill out the application form here, or use the online form at the bottom of the page.
The Edson Volunteer Fire Brigade is the social committee of the Edson Fire Department. This is a member driven organization that raises funds and organizes events for the EFD members.
Funds raised by the Brigade have gone to items like gym equipment, training room comforts, optional equipment not covered by budget, hosting Firefit events, member scholarships, and more.
Some fundraisers held by the Brigade include Community Tent Rentals, Fire vs RCMP Charity Hockey Game (raising funds for the Sheepdog Lodge and food for the Food Bank), Fire Extinguisher Training, Medical Stand-By for Events, etc.
Tent Rental
In late 2020, the Edson Fire Brigade purchased a new 40' x 60' tent for this program. The tent is all white with windowed walls. Fore more details on the program, and a calendar for availability, follow the link below.
Fire Permits are required in the Town of Edson.
Recreational Fire Pit Permits - one time fee of $25
Open Air Burning Permit - $50
Permit applications can be sent in to receipts@edson.ca, along with payment.
The Town of Edson has joined a growing list of communities that has passed a Flashing Green Light Bylaw. Council gave all three readings to Bylaw 2253, the Flashing Green Light Bylaw at their February 2, 2021 Council meeting.
The Traffic Safety Act allows for a municipal Council to pass a bylaw allowing for authorized firefighters to display a flashing green light while responding to an emergency. In Edson’s case, the green lights would be used for our volunteer firefighters responding to the firehall. There are no changes to the fire apparatus, which utilize the standard red lights.
The purpose of the bylaw is to enhance public safety and awareness by identifying Edson Firefighters who are in the process of responding to the hall. The bylaw does not give any special privileges or powers to those responding volunteers, but gives other motorists and pedestrians notice that there is an emergency taking place and to yield if it is safe to do so.
Please watch for our responders utilizing these new lights and keep our roads safe for all users.
The Edson fire department was first formed in 1911. At the time there were approximately 1200 residents living in the community with no fire protection of any kind. This concerned many residents in the Town and it was decided to have a Town meeting to address this issue. The result from this meeting was the formation of Edson’s first Fire Department. Mr. Maynibon was assigned the task of being Edson's first Fire Chief. To assist Mr. Maynibon with the task of establishing Edson's first Fire Department, the following people were appointed to the Department:
Captain Mr. L. A. Suek
Lieutenant Mr. Bert Pettigrew
Lieutenant Mr. W. Millar
Secretary Treasurer Mr. J. Leyden
The Town set-up a gong in the vicinity of 4th Avenue and Main Street to alert the residents of a fire. The Town purchased pails, axes and ladders for the Fire Department to use to combat fires within the community. Edson's first Fire Department was off and running. Over the years our Fire Department has seen many changes and innovations. The following are but a few of theses changes:
1911 - Edson forms first Fire Department
1912 - Edson's first fire hall was built on Main Street
1913 - Edson purchased the following apparatus for the Fire Department: A gasoline powered Waterous fire pump; Two wheeled hose reels; One wheeled chemical fire extinguisher; One hook and ladder wagon. As horses were not part of the fire department then, fire fighters either pulled the wagons by hand or relied on horse teams that were on the street at the time.
1931 - The Town of Edson started to install fire hydrants for the protection of its citizens.
1942 - A new 1942 Chevrolet fire truck was added to the Fire Department fleet.
1949 - A team of Edson Volunteer Fire Fighters decided to enter the provincial hose laying competition in Calgary. The competition was open to both volunteer and full time Fire Fighters from accross the province. Our team represented the Town very well, in fact they won the provincial event! Members of the 1949 Edson Fire Department team were: Don Dumphy, Ted Semeniuk, Bob Reynolds, George Kneteman, and Don Riggans (Fire Chief).
1952 - A new 1952 Bickel Seagrave pumper truck was purchased for the Fire Department. This unit can still be seen at the Edson Fire Station or during our local events such as parades and tours of the Fire Hall.
1958 - The Fire Department moved into a new Fire Hall located at 6th Avenue and Main Street. The Fire Hall was part of the Municipal Building at that time.
1975 - A new 1975 Thibault pumper truck was purchased for the Fire Department.
1982 - Robert (Bob) Kneteman was hired as Edson's first full time Fire Chief.
1983 - A new 1983 Superior pumper Fire Truck was purchased for the Fire Department.
1984 - A new 1984 Superior pumper Fire Truck was purchased for the Fire Department.
1984 - A new Fire Hall was constructed at the corner of 6th Avenue and 49th Street.
1988 - A new medium rescue unit is purchased for the Fire Department.
1997 - Fire Chief Robert Kneteman retires after 45 years of serving the residents of the Town of Edson. William (Bill) Dann takes over the role as Fire Chief for the Town of Edson.
2003 - William Dann retires as the Town Fire Chief, however remains with the department as the Volunteer Deputy Fire Chief. Alan Schram takes over the role as Fire Chief for the Town of Edson.
2006 - A new 2006 Superior Fire Engine (604) was purchased for the Fire Department.
2008 - Edson Fire Department hires it's first full-time Deputy Fire Chief, Tyler Robinson.
2008 - 607 (a Polaris Ranger with medical skid and wildfire pump) was purchased.
2009 - A new 2009 Heavy Rescue Unit was purchased to replace the previous Medium Rescue.
2011 - A new Rapid Rescue unit was purchased. This unit has a water tank/pump, as well as rescue tools.
2012 - A new primary Fire Engine (605) was purchased for the Fire Department.
2017 - Tyler Robinson was named Fire Chief, taking over for Al Schram who became Director of Protective Services for the Town of Edson at the time.
2017 - Steve Farkas was named the new Volunteer Deputy Fire Chief.
2023 - Brad Milton was named Fire Chief, taking over for Tyler Robinson who became Senior Manager, Protective Services for the Town of Edson.
Contact
911 EMERGENCY
Phone: 780-723-3178
Email: edsonfire@edson.ca
In Person: 4835 - 6th Avenue, Edson, AB (Fire Hall/Protective Services Building)?
Mail: 605-50th Street, Box 6300, Edson, AB, T7E 1T7
Report-A-Problem: www.edson.ca/report
Brad Milton
Fire Chief
Joey Cherpin
Deputy Fire Chief
Natalie Rau
Protective Services Admin Assistant
Eric Christensen
Manager, Enforcement Services
