Brandon Fire & Emergency Services

Happy Friday! For today's Flashback Friday let's go back to the beginning of the Brandon Fire Department.

When a fire was on floor that was not obtainable by ground access, the firefighters would use wooden ladders to help fight fires.

The wooden ladder was the bed section of Brandon's first aerial unit and was drawn by horses. In approximately 1921 it was adjusted to fit the motorized vehicles.

Have a great day and stay safe!

Happy Thursday! Now that we are getting into the warmer weather months that we all look forward to, there is another weather occurrence that is on our horizon, lightning storms.

During a thunderstorm the air is charged with electricity. Bolts of lightning hit the ground at about 40,000 km per second -- so fast that the series of strikes hitting the ground appear as a single bolt.

Things to do in a lightning storm:
1. Estimate how far away the lightning is -- every second between the flash of lightning and the thunderclap equals 300 meters. If you count fewer that 30 seconds, take shelter immediately.
2. If indoors, stay away from windows, doors, fireplaces, radiators, sinks, bathtubs, appliances, metal pipes, telephones, and other things which conduct electricity. (You can use a cellular phone.)
3. Unplug radios, computers, televisions and other electronic equipment.
4. Do not go to rescue the laundry on the clothesline as it conducts electricity.
5. If outdoors, take shelter in a building, ditch or a culvert but never under a tree
6. If caught in the open, do not lie flat but crouch in the leapfrog position and lower your head.

These tips will keep you safe if one of those Manitoba thunderstorms we have all experienced brings some lightning with it.
7.Do not ride bicycles, motorcycles, or golf carts or use metal tools as they conduct electricity.
8. If swimming or in a boat, get back to shore immediately.
9.If you are in a car, stay there but pull away from trees which might fall on you.
10. You may resume activity 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder.

Have a great day and stay safe!

Brandon Fire and Emergency Services would like to recognize Melanie Johnston on her recent promotion to Supervisor of Team D for BPCC.

BFES is very proud to highlight and recognize this accomplishment!

Congratulations Melanie we are very proud of you!

Happy Wednesday! When using a power bar there are some fire safety tips you should know!

1. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions with respect to the use of power bars.
2. Power bars should be kept away from areas where they may be pinched and areas where they may pose a tripping or fire hazard (e.g., doorways, windows, holes in the wall, floor or ceiling).
3. Power bars should only be used for computers, audio and video equipment and low amperage office and laboratory equipment.
4. Power bars shall be three-conductor (grounded).
5. Do not locate your power bar in an area where the unit would be covered with carpet, furniture, clothing or any other items that will limit or prevent air circulation.
6. Each cord should be plugged directly into a structurally mounted electrical receptacle and should not be chained together or fed from another extension cord.
6. Units must be free of cracks, splits, fraying and other damage as a result of general wear and tear.

Make sure you inspect your power bars periodically to make sure they are in good working order.

Have a great day and stay safe!

Happy Tuesday! 911 services are for police, fire or medical emergencies when immediate action is required: someone’s health, safety or property is in jeopardy, or a crime is in progress.

Please use 911 responsibly. Our call takers can’t provide information on the weather, power outages or municipal services.

Don’t call 911 and ask for the non-emergency phone number. Those numbers are located on the front cover of your phone book, your municipality’s web page, or you can dial directory assistance to request a number.

Proper use of the 911 service makes it possible for those in an emergency situation to get the help they need.

Have a great day and stay safe!

Brandon Fire and Emergency Services would like to recognize Trevor Wowk on his recent promotion to Captain!

BFES is very proud to highlight and recognize these accomplishments!

Congratulations Trevor we are very proud of you!

Happy Monday! Have you been roasting some marshmallows on your BFES inspected and approved fire pit?
Did you know that:
1. The use of outdoor burning appliances are limited to the hours between 12:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m.
2. A firepit application does not need to be renewed annually. A new fire pit application is required upon a change of property ownership or if the original application has changed (ex moved the location of your fire pit).
3. Grass, rubbish, leaves, etc. cannot be burnt within City limits. Fire Pits are for recreational fires only
4. Fires shall not be set in windy conditions conducive to creating a running fire or a nuisance to another person.
5. The use of outdoor burning appliances is prohibited when a poor air quality advisory is issued by the Province of Manitoba 6.
If Fire Pits are used without the necessary permit, offenders may be ticketed without warning. The fee for failing to comply with the regulation is $400 as per the Open Air Fire Regulation 30.

If you do not have an approved fire pit permit, you can go online to complete your application. Please visit the City of Brandon's website at https://www.brandon.ca/.../fire-permits/fire-pit-permit/ to review all of the regulations and for the application process.

If you do not have online access, a paper copy of the application can be obtained at either Fire Hall (Fire Hall #1 120 19th St N or Fire Hall #2 1321 13th St).

Have a great day and stay safe!

Earlier today members of BFES were able to cheer on members of our team as they participated in the 2026 Project Resilience 911 Road Race!

Way to go Danna and Christie, we are all very proud of you!

Happy Friday! For this week's Flashback Friday, we are going back to the 1960's.

BFES offers fire extinguisher training classes to the public and back in the late 1960's Captain Stan Po***ck was presenting fire extinguisher training to the nurses of the Brandon General Hospital.

Today the training includes an hour of classroom learning and an hour of hands-on practice for a fee that is set by the City of Brandon Fee Schedule.

If you are interested in scheduling a fire extinguisher training session for your organization or you would like more information, please contact us by email at [email protected].

Have a great day and stay safe!