From left: Community Safety Officer Ron Sonza, Deputy Fire Chief Paul Perry and Firefighter James Bright stand outside the NBFD Mobile Warming Station. The station will remain activated while the extreme cold advisory is on. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Warming Mobile

NBFD activates mobile warming station for extreme weather

Jan 15, 2024 | 4:51 PM

When the temperature plummeted last week to bone-chilling negative double digits, it only took three hours for the North Battleford Fire Department to initiate a new purpose for their utility bus as the NBFD Mobile Warming Station.

“We started up last Thursday (Jan. 11) night I believe and just with the extra cold weather that we’ve been having, we wanted to keep the homeless and the vulnerable warm,” Deputy Fire Chief Paul Perry said.

“With the windchill it was pushing -50.”

The warming station is a refurbished Handibus that was originally donated to the department from the city years before and is now used primarily for when the department members are out on service calls.

This is the inaugural year for the bus and though they ran into some issues the second day out – the generator “blew up” – so it needed replacing.

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“Other than that, things have been going well. We’ve had some people drop off some donations and some cigarettes for some of the guys, so it’s all good,” Perry said.

The inside of the refurbished bus features seating and counterspace filled with a kettle, a microwave, donated soups, mandarin oranges, and even hot chocolate. Although it is not yet a week old, the mobile station has already seen some response from the community.

The inside if the bus has an area to make soup, hot chocolate and even tea. The station will remain activated while the extreme cold advisory is on. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“Over the last few days, we’ve been averaging maybe a dozen a day roughly,” he said, noting people stay for as long as they need to.

“Two guys were in here for three hours,” said firefighter James Bright, referring to a shift during their second day out.

The deputy chief, meanwhile said he was surprised to see so many people out in the extreme temperatures and as part of the warmup service, they’re also have some toques, gloves and neck warmers to hand out.

“It’s a place out of the wind, out of the cold for a little bit then when they’re good to go, then off they go.”

The bus will continue to serve during the cold snap and run until about 9 p.m., before transitioning for the rest of the night to drive around the communities to check to make sure people aren’t in trouble.

The initiative will operate whenever there is extreme weather.

“We’re currently working on an actual policy on when to activate it as a warming shelter and until the cold snap ends. Right now, we’ll be in this vicinity between City Hall and the (Rockshop Cannabis) area,” Perry said of the 101 St. section.

According to Bright, donations also included bannock, warm weather gear such as long-johns, blankets and socks.

“Everyone’s kind of chipping in,” he said.

According to Community Safety Officer Ron Sonza, it’s about giving back to the community.

“We’re trying to build that trust with the people that we serve so, it’s a privilege to be here, helping people out.”

Meanwhile, Perry added while they can’t actively call for volunteers, they are welcoming donations.

“We’re here to serve the community so, that’s our main priority – whether it be fires or rescue on the river. I mean, this is in our wheelhouse.”

Anyone wishing to donate may drop off items directly to North Battleford City Hall.

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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