The Granum Fire Department hosted a vehicle extrication course Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 2003. This 30 hour course was taught by fire training officers Ken Mercer and Dave Heatherington from the Lethbridge Fire Department. 14 fire fighters came from Barons, Nobleford, Fort Macleod and Granum to participate in this Alberta Fire Training School sanctioned certificate course.

The Granum Fire Department rented one extra set of Jaws of Life from Wholesale Fire and Rescue in Calgary and over the 4 days of training the fire fighters were able to cut up and totally destroy 18 vehicles that were donated by local auto wreckers.

Exams were held Dec. 17, 2003.

The Granum Fire Department raised over $20,000 and purchased the Jaws of Life in April 2003. This included spreaders, cutters and power unit.

Fund raising of $10,000 continues to this date as more lifting rams are needed to complete the project.

The reason for buying these life saving tools became quite evident as Granum is located at the intersection of two very busy highways, #2 and #519. In the past few years traffic flow has increased substantially and the Fire Department calls out for traffic accidents has risen over 50%. It was decided by the membership that we should purchase this equipment. With a grant from the Lottery Foundation and with fund raising events we were able to purchase the basic tools. Our goal is to add the final components by the end of April 2004.

George Mahieux from the Granum Fire Department.


"The Jaws" eating a door post.


"Lid is off sir. What do you want us to do now?"


If you see these guys looking in your window they will say "We will get you out in a jiffy. Stay calm and don't move."
#15 Herb Pitchko, #12 Walter Havinga, #13 Phil Davies, #7 Ben Hann, #10 Travis McQuigge, #8 George Mahieux,
#11 Allyn Vandervalk, and training officier Dave Heatherington.