Gibbons hosts joint training with Morinville firefighters to sharpen critical search and rescue skills

By Shelley Winger

Firefighters from several departments gathered in Gibbons this past week for an intensive and

highly specialized training course known as “Dirty Search.” The hands-on training, delivered by

Prairie Dog Fire Training Ltd., brought together members of the Gibbons Fire Department,

Sturgeon County Emergency Services, and the Morinville Fire Department for a day of skill

refinement, collaboration, and realism-based scenarios.

The goal of the training was to strengthen foundational and advanced search-and-rescue

techniques that are vital during emergency responses. Through physically demanding exercises

and simulated fire conditions, participants were able to hone their abilities in key areas such as

victim drags and carries, ground ladder operations, oriented and split search methods, and

window-entry and window-based search tactics.

The training took place at a controlled site constructed with large metal shipping containers,

offering a safe but challenging space to simulate structural fire conditions. These types of

settings are ideal for practicing search techniques in confined areas where visibility is limited and

decision-making must happen quickly under pressure.

Firefighters suited up in full gear and took turns running through a variety of drills designed to

mimic real-life rescue scenarios. Smoke machines filled the interior spaces, forcing participants

to rely on their training and each other to locate “victims” and navigate out of the building safely.

Courses like Dirty Search help firefighters sharpen not only their physical techniques but also

their mental preparedness. In an actual emergency, seconds count. The ability to perform under

stress, adapt quickly, and move with confidence can mean the difference between life and death

for both victims and responders.

For volunteer departments like those in Gibbons and Morinville, specialized training

opportunities like this are especially valuable. Many of these firefighters balance their roles with

full-time jobs and family responsibilities, yet they show up and put in the work to protect their

neighbours. Investing in quality training not only supports their personal growth-it directly

enhances public safety.

The session also provided an opportunity for collaboration between departments that may work

together during larger incidents. Firefighters from different communities built trust and

strengthened mutual aid relationships that can prove critical in times of crisis. In smaller towns

and rural areas, this kind of inter-agency cooperation is often essential during major structure

fires or multiple-call events.

As fire departments continue to face increasingly complex challenges—from larger structures to

evolving building materials and fire behaviours—continuous hands-on training remains essential.

Exercises like this ensure that firefighters stay sharp, stay safe, and stay ready.

Gibbons Fire & Rescue expressed gratitude to Prairie Dog Fire Training Ltd. for facilitating the

course and to all the firefighters who participated. The day of learning not only expanded

technical skills but reinforced a shared commitment to excellence in service and safety for the

communities they protect.