Around 400 people converged on the brand new Emergency Services Building to Bruno to celebrate the grand opening with a burger supper and a program.  

The ground was broken on the project roughly a year ago, and with the completion of the building, the Bruno Fire Department and its emergency responders have a state of the art facility that will be able to house all their equipment and provide an appropriate meeting and training site for its volunteer members.  

In addition to the vastly expanded storage space, the facility boasts ample locker space, storage for hand equipment and medical supplies, and a spacious meeting room where training and planning meetings can be conducted.  

There was no doubt the building was a necessary build for the RM and the town. The former building just adjacent to the new structure could not house all the equipment, meaning the ambulance was left outside on the cold nights of winter. 

The building was a joint effort between the Town of Bruno, represented at the gathering by Mayor Dale Glessman, and the RM of Bayne with Reeve Danny Picouye. Both men thanked the community, the donors and principal sponsors like the Bruno Credit Union and the Co-op for their financial support. They also gave a nod to the respective councils and to the administrators, Colette Radcliffe for Bruno and Diana Koenning for the RM of Bayne, for their continued contributions. 

“As a former mayor of a small community north of Saskatoon, I know about the hard work you all do,” said Carlton Trail – Eagle Creek MP Kelly Block, speaking of her tenure as Mayor of Waldheim. “The decisions you have made, and will continue to make, have had a huge impact, not only on the communities they serve, but on Saskatchewan. 

Andria Lepage, lead for Bruno Emergency Responders, acknowledged the contribution of the provincial and federal governments in the provision of grant money that helped build the hall.  

“This building represents the opportunity for many great for residents of the RM of Bayne and the community of Bruno,” Lepage commented. “For the first time, first responders have a dedicated space for equipment, for their own rescue vehicle, and a large bright space for training right here.” 

“When you drive into Bruno and see an emergency services building like this, it says a lot about this community,” said Bruno Fire Department Vice-Chief Darnell Weiman. “It says that this community comes together; it has committed volunteers who selflessly dedicated their time and energy, often at great personal sacrifice to keep everyone safe.” 

The Fire Department and First Responders took time to recognize their own with service awards presented to members. Jeff Mark was one of the long serving members with 30 years, and Aaron Kramer was honoured for an incredible 40 years of service. 

The large crowd shared supper, chatted, took tours of the new facility and enjoyed a celebratory cake to wrap up. The new building stands as an impressive testament to mutual support, hard work, generosity and community dedication.