As Fire Prevention Month begins, the Gimli Fire Department is underscoring a message it lives by year-round: preparedness saves lives. For the volunteer crew that protects the rapidly growing lakeside municipality, readiness comes through continuous training, strategic planning — and critical investment in the equipment that makes their work possible.
In September, Gimli firefighters put their skills to the test in a large-scale mock exercise at the Gimli Airport. The realistic scenario began with a call reporting that a Hercules aircraft was making an emergency landing on the runway. Only a few members knew it was a drill; the rest responded as though the situation were real.
“When we don’t know what’s coming, it forces us to rely on our training and instincts, just like we would during a real emergency,” said Fire Chief Mike Chudd. “These types of exercises are invaluable because they allow us to identify any gaps and improve our response before we’re faced with a real incident.”
During the exercise, firefighters responded as they would to an actual aviation incident: securing the scene, assessing potential hazards, and coordinating with other emergency responders. The mock exercise also provided an opportunity to practice incident command procedures and refine response protocols for complex calls involving multiple agencies.
The department continued its training last week following its regular Monday meeting, heading back into the field for more hands-on skill development. Year-round exercises cover everything from fire suppression and vehicle extrication to hazardous materials response and water rescues.
“Every call we respond to is different, and continuous training ensures our members can adapt to any situation,” Chudd said. “We’re fortunate to have a dedicated team that shows up every week ready to learn and improve, because at the end of the day, it’s all about protecting our community.”
Behind the scenes, Gimli’s firefighters are also preparing for the future in another crucial way — by modernizing the equipment that keeps them safe and effective.
The Rural Municipality of Gimli launched a fire truck replacement plan last year after Chief Chudd urged council to address the department’s aging fleet, which includes a 1975 aerial truck that has long exceeded its service life.
The ladder truck was considered front-line apparatus for 20 years, secondary for five, and reserve for another five, but after 30 years it no longer met insurance standards. By 2025, it was no longer recognized by insurance underwriters. “The ladder twists, major repairs are required and no parts are available. It’s unsafe and will be taken out of service,” Chudd said.
Acquiring a new platform truck — capable of reaching multi-storey buildings is a top priority. According to Chudd, Gimli already meets the Fire Underwriters Survey criteria for requiring such a unit.
The municipality’s landscape has changed dramatically in recent years, with numerous structures now exceeding the height threshold or falling into categories that require aerial capability. They include multi-storey residential, institutional and commercial buildings such as Betel Home, Betel Waterfront, Gimli Shores, Rotary Towers, Lakeview Resort and West Point Condos. Industrial and commercial sites — including hangars at the industrial park and several structures at Diageo — also qualify.
Additional developments, from new three-storey residences in Camp Morton and Willow Island to multi-unit complexes downtown, have further increased the need for elevated firefighting, ventilation and rescue capacity.
“To say we fit the criteria to require a platform unit is an understatement,” Chudd said. “Our community has grown up instead of growing out. We need to match that growth with the right equipment.”
Chudd spoke about the benefits of a new truck if it was available for a warehouse fire two years ago on the north side if Gimli. “The building was like a maze and full of contents. Had we had an aerial, we could have attacked it from above with less risk to firefighters,” he said. “Smoke permeated through the town — the community would have been better protected.”
To meet the municipality’s growing needs, Gimli has ordered a state-of-the-art articulating platform truck scheduled to arrive in early 2026. The new unit will provide capabilities the department has never had — allowing crews to fight fires from above or below grade, ventilate roofs without climbing onto them, and reach multi-storey structures safely.
“Currently we use an extension ladder to get onto the roof; then a roof ladder on the roof while we carry a chainsaw or circular saw to cut a four-by-four-foot hole over the fire to fight it.” Chudd explained. “The new truck will make that process safer, faster, and more efficient.”
The platform will also allow firefighters to respond more effectively to complex emergencies, from structure fires and industrial incidents to potential trench collapses. “With all the construction happening in Gimli, if a basement excavation collapsed, we could respond faster — and that could mean the difference between life and death,” he said.
The need for advanced equipment is being driven by Gimli’s rapid growth and the increased number of calls. Call volumes have soared — from 134 in 2022 to 174 in 2023, with the department already at 169 calls this year. “We’re expecting to surpass 200 calls by year-end,” Chudd said.
With the new platform truck comes a focus on training. Five days of on-site training will be included with delivery, and ongoing instruction will follow. “We’re a paid-on-call department, so everyone is cross-trained,” Chudd said. “We’ll use a ‘train-the-trainer’ model to ensure all members know how to operate the truck.”
The truck will not necessarily change the types of calls the department handles, but it will improve safety and efficiency. “It’s not about responding to new emergencies — it’s about responding better,” Chudd said.
Recognizing the urgency, council voted last year to work with the fire department on a 10-year replacement strategy to address immediate priorities and plan for future needs.
The new platform truck — which went out for tender and was awarded in early 2024 — will cost $2.7 million. The municipality has been putting $40,000 annually into reserve fund for the past 20 years money for equipment replacement.
“There is about a $1,000,000 in the reserves and those funds will help cover the municipalities share. The provincial government committed $1 million toward the purchase, with the remaining $670,000 to be paid by the taxpayer.
“The provincial contribution was extremely significant,” Chudd said. “It allows us to refresh our fleet without putting an undue burden on taxpayers.”
Council and the department are also reviewing long-term funding strategies. “The $40,000 may not be enough as costs continue to rise, but prioritizing what makes the most sense for fire protection and public safety is key,” Chudd said.
For Chudd, the new truck is more than just another piece of equipment — it’s a commitment to the people of Gimli.
“This is not a luxury purchase — it’s an essential tool that will allow us to respond to a wider range of emergencies and keep people safer,” he said. “Having the aerial is like having home insurance. We hope we never need it, but if we do, it’s there — and it could save lives.”
