MELFORT FD LEARNS TO TACKLE DRUG LABS

The Melfort Fire Department is taking steps to deal with the
ever-threatening presence of drug labs.

On Feb. 21 fire chief John McDonald and Lt. Cam Condy attended a
four-and-a-half hour seminar in Humboldt, which dealt with drug and crystal
meth labs.

"The whole thing was good, very informative, a real eye opener," said McDonald.

"It is pretty scary when you imagine all the stuff that goes on out there
that you don't really want to think about and you can end up being in the
middle of it before you realize."

The seminar covered various topics including paraphernalia that "cooks" use
in meth labs as well as the hazardous by-products left behind after the
drug is made.

McDonald said some of those by-products could be fumes that can be
dangerous or even residue left behind.

"They talked about these people that are cooking it, what they are doing to
protect themselves because these by-products can cause damage to anyone
that is in or near the building."

McDonald used anhydrous as an example saying it is one of the chemicals
used in crystal meth production.

"That is bad enough if it is not in a controlled situation. In a controlled
situation you can handle it easily, but for people who don't know what they
are doing or if it is in the wrong container it can be a major problem."

Being called to a fire in a drug lab is not a problem the Melfort Fire
Department has had yet, but they want to continue to educate their
firefighters in case it does happen.

"There is a chance they could show up in our area and we want to be sure
that we are providing the best safety for ourselves, ambulance and police
that we can," McDonald said.

"Anytime you can learn and educate yourself the better you will be at your
job."

It is with that thought the Melfort Fire Department is trying to bring a
speaker to Melfort for a seminar similar to the one they attended, but more
detailed.

"Each course you take is a step deeper, the more knowledge we have the
wiser we will be in handling and protecting others," he said.

"There are some very educated people out there that are willing to pass on
their experience and knowledge to the rest of the world if people are smart
enough to listen and take advantage of it."

No date has been set for a course, but when one is established McDonald
said fire departments from all over their zone would be invited to attend
the program.

All the departments are willing to work together and that is something
McDonald plans to take advantage of.

McDonald said it is definitely a priority to have a seminar on drug labs
since it is a concern in the area.

"It seems to be more prevalent in the area, there is more talk of it all
the time and that fiasco they had in Naicam was a real eye opener."