The Winkler Fire Department responded to 163 calls in 2016, a nine percent increase over the previous year. While the year saw 52 fire incidents (three less than 2015) the department received a high number of false alarms.

Of the 163 calls, 61 were false alarms (up 26 from 2015).

With a number of new buildings going up in the city, Fire Chief Richard Paetzold says it took time for the kinks in the new fire alarm systems to be worked out.

It even prompted the department to send out letters warning of a fine of $500 for repeat offenders.

"You expect numbers to go up as your community grows, but we're trying to do everything we can to make sure we're not wasting resources," he says.

Despite the rapidly growing community, Paetzold says they are content to continue with a paid on-call system. He explains transitioning to a full time staffed department would more than double their $1.2 million budget

However, call response time continues to be well within acceptable ranges. On average, firefighters are on-scene within 4 minutes, 13 seconds of a call in and around Winkler.

Within the R.M Stanley the average response time was 7 minutes 8 seconds.

The National Fire Protection Association's minimum response time is 9 minutes for urban centre, 14 minutes for rural areas.

"I believe this is a very good system," Paetzold says. "From a safety aspect as well as cost effective fire protection."

Firefighter retention rates continue to be extraordinary, compared to the average of three to seven years of experience on departments in Manitoba. In the Winkler the average is 17 years.

Before this summer the department had gone six years without the need to recruit.

A number of firefighters were also recently honoured for 20, 30 and even 40 years of service, including Marvin Plett for 30 years, and Peter Neufeld for 35. Exemplary Service Medals were also handed out to Gary Reimer for 30 years, Ray Doell for 30 years, and Gary Klassen for 40.

Retirement doesn't mean the loss of valuable experience either. Paetzold notes a number of past fire chiefs such as Gary Klassen, John Elias and Abe Suderman continue to be instrumental sounding boards.

False alarms have accounted for nearly 40 percent of call volumes this year. Photo courtesy Winkler Fire Department