BONNYVILLE - The Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BRFA) is in good hands during its transition of fire chiefs in the wake of former Regional Fire Chief Dan Heney taking on a new position with The Town of Bonnyville.
Regional Deputy Chief Alicia Krawchuk has stepped up to the plate as an Interim Regional Fire Chief, assuring business continues as usual.
Krawchuck has been involved with the fire department for 20 years and brings a solid level of experience to her new position as Interim Regional Fire Chief.
Krawchuk’s career in firefighting began in 2004 when she became a volunteer firefighter for the City of Lloydminster. Five years later, after moving back to Bonnyville, she joined the Bonnyville Fire Department where she served as a volunteer till 2015.
“Becoming a volunteer firefighter has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career, and I encourage anyone who is even mildly interested to attend a meeting night and see if joining one of our great teams is a good fit for you,” says Krawchuk
After her impactful experience as a volunteer firefighter, Krawchuk became the Division Chief for EMS with BRFA in 2015.
“In this role, I pursued a Bachelor of Applied Business in Emergency Services, which broadened my perspective and skills. When the Regional Deputy Chief position became available, I saw it as an opportunity to apply my knowledge and leadership on a larger scale,” says Krawchuk.
Becoming the Regional Deputy Chief in 2022 gave her the opportunity to gain valuable senior leadership experience, preparing her to transition into the Interim Regional Fire Chief position when Heney went on to his new role in June.
“I feel that my roles in emergency services, experiences and education have prepared me to take on this role . . . stepping into [it] has been both rewarding and challenging. Leading a diverse team of emergency services professionals in EMS, fire, and 911 is an incredible responsibility, and I’m proud of how well we work together to serve the community,” says Krawchuk.
She explains that the BRFA is at a monumental and pivotal moment in its history, with the upcoming merger of all services into one building.
“This transition marks an exciting new chapter for the BRFA, and we are navigating this adventure together. My focus has been on maintaining continuity, supporting our members, and ensuring we’re moving forward as an organization. While challenges exist, the team’s commitment and dedication make this journey all the more rewarding,” says Krawchuk.
Krawchuk says the BRFA sees a diverse array of fire calls, which change as the seasons change. In addition to structural fires, the department responds to a significant number of grass and wildfires, vehicle collisions, and alarms.
“We always encourage residents to be proactive about fire safety by watching for hazards in their homes and living spaces, ensuring that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in good working order, and having a plan in place in the event of a fire,” says Krawchuk.
The BRFA emphasizes the importance of using FireSmart principles around homes to help reduce the risk of wildfire damage.
According to the FireSmart Canada website, The FireSmart program promotes a shared responsibility between individuals, governments, organizations, and communities to help reduce the risk of wildfires.
“The FireSmart program is implemented through seven disciplines to help neighbourhoods address the threat of wildfire: education, emergency planning, vegetation management, legislation, development, interagency cooperation, and cross training,” states FireSmart Canada.
Krawchuk encourages everyone to join her and her team at the Fire Prevention Week Open House on Oct. 8 from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the Bonnyville Fire Department.
“Our volunteer firefighters will be on hand to answer any questions about fire safety or what it’s like to be part of the fire department,” says Krawchuk
