Merrill Dunes
The Merrill / Moon Lake Voluntary Fire Response fund raiser has happened! (See History Note at page bottom)
Response was minimal but for the small number of participants, it was a good experience. Two photo scrollers tell the story of the actual event.
Scroller #1 was used to promote the fund raiser.
PDF Poster for the past Event
History: The Merrill-Moon Lake Voluntary Fire Initiative was started in the early 2000s. Robert Stonehouse, who has fought area fires for ever, was the initial push. When Rob was in Grade 4 at Merrill School, he, along with other boys were drafted to fight a grass fire - the tools provided were milk cans filled with water, gunny sacks, and shovels. The late Lorne Johnson, Rick Dixon, the late Vince Keindel, and Vlad Sopuck were players who were involved in outfitting six fire trailers built on old sprayer frames, fitted with a water tank and with a gas powered pump. The goal was to have a local, quick response system. A call system, linked in with the local crime watch was organized. Unfortunately the covid reaction brought an end to activity, however in recent times, Ed Keindel, Vince's son, has fired things up again. Once again there is a call system in place and effort is being made to get all the equipment organized and into "ready to use / rapid deployment condition". I believe the RM and Nutrien have kicked in some funding. The laser tag fund raiser is a small booster for the established system.
When the first fire trailers were being build in Rick Dixon's shop, a fire occurred at Moon Lake Golf Course and away the guys went and put out the fire before it could get to two float planes anchored near by. No other fire fighters showed up. Rick pointed out that the volunteers may not be trained firemen but the locals can usually get there first and when there is no one else, even amateurs are appreciated - especially if they have a water tank and sprayer! Rob points out that city fire crews must put a priority on city fires and there are situations where city and other official fire crews are simply not available to help. He has seen MANY quite dramatic fire events, some quite hair raising, and many that were snuffed before they became dramatic. One local made an immediate $500 contribution to the cause shortly after the volunteers saved his storage seacan from certain destruction. In that situation, city fire trucks were busy containing the larger fire.
Six, simple, but effective fire wagons were constructed on the cheap, in the early 2000s, by the voluntary fire response group. Equally important, a phone network was organized so any local resident could make a phone call and trigger a notification system that would tap at least one of the fire wagon custodians. Quite a brilliant, flexible, local initiative! Covid response shut things down - but the system is currently being revived and upgraded significantly. One of those things that can be ignored until you need it!
In a world of public dollars suddenly popping up on a whim and a finger snap, the Voluntary Fire initiative has been built on sweat, a shoe string, and old time neighbourly concern. Rob and Dirk Stonehouse have done more than their share. Rob has a large truck and bulk tank / pump unit on the ready and the impressive old Fargo Fire Truck (2000 original miles) could be available if minimal funding was dedicated to repairing the minor but vital issue of "no brakes".
As stated elsewhere, if you have no interest in laser tag but do live in the area and do appreciate that dry, windy days, and fluke circumstances can create a sudden horror scene - contributions can be made directly to the Fire Protection Initiative, and those funds will support a going and proven service - not a speculative dream.
Scroller #2 shows photos of the actual event.
Scroller #3 shows photos of the actual event.
