Auxiliary Firefighter Feature: Dale Unrau

The City of Vernon Fire Station #3, at Predator Ridge, with its rich history and commitment to safety, plays a vital role in our year-round community. 

In July 2023, ten passionate individuals completed their training and orientation, becoming operational as auxiliary firefighters at City of Vernon Fire Station #3 on Predator Ridge Drive.

Our auxiliary firefighters are more than just responders—they’re pillars of our community, enhancing not only the safety and security of our community but bringing an added sense of safety to our residents.

We’re excited to shine a spotlight on the dedicated individuals who serve as auxiliary firefighters right here at Predator Ridge. Through these features, we’ll introduce you to our auxiliary firefighters, exploring their motivations to become a part of the firefighting community, their personal experiences, and the invaluable role that they play in fostering community spirit.​​​​​​

This month, we’re featuring Dale Unrau! Read the feature below to learn more about Dale and his experience as a new auxiliary firefighter.

4 years! 

Growing up I always wanted to help out my community and felt that being a firefighter was a great fit for me. I was looking for a job that was physically active, exciting and you get to be part of a team. I first joined the fire service as a volunteer in the 1980s working my way up to career Firefighter, Officer, Deputy Fire Chief before retiring as Fire Chief in 2020 after 35 years in the fire service. When I became aware of the opportunity to again become a Volunteer Firefighter at Vernon Fire Station 3 at Predator Ridge, I was eager to apply as I missed the camaraderie and pride of serving your community that belonging to the fire service brings.

Being a first responder and supporting Vernon’s career Firefighters for emergencies that occur in the community, assisting with public education, and fire prevention activities.

We have a great cohesive team of volunteer Firefighters here at Predator Ridge. The camaraderie we have developed going through recruit training last year has continued to build and we all have a great sense of pride in serving the community. Being a volunteer Firefighter sharpens your focus on potential hazards in the community, which helps you better prepare when the need for response arises.

There is always a need for continual training in the fire service to maintain a state of readiness. It is always interesting and exciting to learn the newest strategies and tactics for dealing with various types of incidents. Physically challenging training and working together as a team provides a sense of personal pride.

Open houses at the Fire Station and participation at events in the community allow opportunities for public education. Volunteer members also make themselves available for FireSmart activities in the community.

With wildfire season approaching, it is important to support FireSmart activities in the community and to ensure your own property is prepared according the FireSmart principles. There are many great FireSmart resources available online to help you prepare.

I would strongly encourage anyone considering becoming a volunteer to speak with any of the current volunteer Firefighters to get a sense of time commitment and responsibilities with being a volunteer Firefighter. A key thing to know is that once you become a volunteer Firefighter, you are part of a larger team where any time an emergency call occurs that a minimum of two but preferably four individuals are available to respond at any given time. We all have lives outside the fire service where work, family, vacation, etc. may not allow us to respond, but we are aware that other members of the team will be able to respond when the need arises.

Ensure you test your smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries annually.