The Pas Fire Department has completed specialized surface water rescue training with instructors from the Manitoba Emergency Services College, strengthening local emergency response capabilities for the northern Manitoba community.
The training was conducted on the Pasquia River and included classroom theory, boat driving practice, and hands-on rescue skills. Firefighters practiced scene size-up, incident action planning, and rescue techniques using reach and throw methods, according to the Manitoba Emergency Services College.
The department serves the Town of The Pas and parts of the Rural Municipality of Kelsey, located at the confluence of the Pasquia and Saskatchewan Rivers. Its location across the river from Opaskwayak Cree Nation means water rescue training is directly relevant for public safety in the broader region.
Fire Chief Byron Shangraw leads the department, which operates from 81 Edwards Avenue. The training aligns with the college’s provincial standard for surface water rescue, accredited to NFPA 1006.
The Pas has experienced significant flooding in the past, including ice jam risks on the Carrot and Pasquia Rivers, making water rescue readiness a priority for local emergency services.
