Saskatchewan’s Environment Minister will look into a suggestion on how to improve training for volunteer fire departments in rural communities, but it could come with some environmental obstacles.

The reeve of the RM of Reford, Gerald Gerlinsky, says that it would be a great opportunity for firefighters to practice on derelict buildings that were going to be removed anyway. However, as of right now, shingles have to be removed before a building is burned. Gerlisnky says practicing on a house without shingles is not realistic and does not mimic real-life circumstances, and therefore is non-beneficial.

Environment Minister Dana Skoropad replied by saying it is important to monitor which materials are burned for the sake of the environment, but he did see merit in Gerlinsky’s comments. He stated that he would be more than happy look at solutions with either him or SARM President, Ray Orb. The RM of Reford is located southeast of Wilkie, about an hour and a half west of Saskatoon.

Photo: SARM Twitter