A car accident at a gravel pit near Bienfait sent the Estevan Fire Department out on their first of what would be two calls before 9:30 on the morning of Wednesday, January 22. At 8:30 in the morning they got the call describing an industrial incident, and when they arrived on scene they found a gravel truck with the trailer rolled over onto its side. 

"Thankfully there were no injuries as a result of this particular incident," said Estevan Fire Chief Dale Feser. "Crews came in and assessed the vehicle to make sure all hazards were taken care of and there were no fluid leak or fuel spills as a result. There was a minor hydraulic leak. It was also in a fairy precarious position on an elevated steep grade, so we made sure the truck was isolated and wasn't going to go anywhere."

Emergency Medical Services and the RCMP also came to the scene, though no one was seriously hurt and it was ultimately turned back over to the managers of the company. But for the fire department, any kind of industrial call always carries with it a few extra precautions. And in this case, one of those usual precautions wasn't possible.  

"First we want to make sure the equipment is stabilized and isolated and shut off if we can, or at least the wheels get chalked to prevent it from moving in any situation," Feser said. "However, in this particular instance, we wanted to make sure the vehicle remained running because the air brakes were applied. So the vehicle had to stay running in order for the breaks to continue to be applied. If the vehicle is shut off, air pressure is lost, the brakes are cut loose, and the vehicle becomes unstable."

Feser also said in events of accidents like this, investigations usually follow. In other cases, they also have to be aware of any materials the truck is carrying, especially if they're carrying anything hazardous. They also have to make sure, regardless of the type of vehicle, that there are no fluid leaks. 

The fire department was also called out again later that morning to a carbon monoxide alarm. However, after entering the building with gas detection equipment and finding no readings, they found out the carbon monoxide detector was a faulty unit and needed replacing.