The Estevan Fire and Rescue has passed another major step on their way to completely moving into their new base of operations on 13 Avenue, from their former place on 3rd Street.

"As of last Saturday, we had enough available manpower and brought all the turnout gear and apparatus over to the new location, so we are responding out of the new fire station," shared Fire Chief Dale Feser.

"We do want to take this opportunity to remind the motoring public and citizens of Estevan to be mindful, as there will be fire trucks responding out from this location. Be diligent when you are hearing sirens and seeing lights, and please make sure that you are yielding the right of way to the emergency services vehicles, whether it be police, fire or EMS, so that we can safely arrive at destination to help those in need."

He added that the possibility of signage or lights being installed in the vicinity of that intersection will be an option to be considered.

"We are going to take a look, anaylize and see how everything is going to go as we're responding here in the next few months. It is an intersection, so by law, you are not allowed block it even if you are stopped for a train or anything like that, you have to keep it clear. We're going to monitor the situation and see how everything goes. If we do feel the need, we may start looking at a different design of line painting on the road, or possible lighting that may assist in alerting the motoring public that we are coming out and responding to a call."

Feser also observed that they often see traffic routing through the new fire hall's lot, and reminds people that it is not an extension of 9th Street.

"It is only for fire station vehicles or people wishing to come to the fire station. We will be seeing signage put up there, and any vehicles we find parked on the premises that are not here for fire department business will be dealt with through bylaw enforcement and policing."

Estevan folks may also see a new pick up truck driving around town dressed up in the markings of the EFRS, as the department recently took delivery of another command vehicle.

"We took a replacement for the aging Ford Expedition that we had, we purchased a Dodge emergency services vehicle which is part of the regular fleet renewal process for the City. We put it into service last Friday."

"It's exciting because it's the first time in the history of the department that we actually have matching command vehicles as well," Feser added with a chuckle.