A busy week for Okotoks Fire Services, and a few reminders from our Fire Chief.

Ken Thevenot, Okotoks Fire Chief, says the department responded to 28 calls.

"Five alarm system activations, we had one fire pit complaint, one gas leak that we attended to, we had 17 medical responses that we assisted AHS with, three smoke investigations, and one animal rescue."

Thevenot would like to remind residents to stay off of the river and storm ponds, as there's been plenty of evidence of individuals going on the ice.

"Within the last week there's been some tracks from a snowmobile, and some pedestrian walking tracks on the river. The problem with adults walking on the river is it almost gives a false sense of security for younger kids going out there and following the tracks on the river. We need to help each other out here and stay off the storm ponds and the rivers."

He shares with the recent hot and cold weather the ice has little integrity, and is unstable.

Thevenot also asks residents to do some research and educate themselves on opioids, as the country-wide crisis begins hitting Okotoks as well.

"We've noticed a few more medical responses with respect to overdoses where we've had to use the Narcan. I'm asking for all of us residents to educate ourselves on the use of Narcan and around our opioid crisis that we have not only in our region, but in Canada as well. It's starting to hit our community on a small scale right now, but the more things get worse with this opioid crisis it will affect us more and more."

Residents with any questions about opioids can contact Okotoks Fire Services at (403) 938-4066

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