The BRFA supports the Snow Angel program

If you can’t shovel this winter the snow angels are on their way.

The Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority will put down their hoses for a bit and pick up shovels instead as they have joined the amazing program which helps dig out our senior population during winter.

While many people are able to snow shovel their sidewalks and driveways, there are some in Bonnyville that cannot.

That’s why the Bonnyville and District FCSS has brought the Snow Angels program to help out and now Station 5 Bonnyville is on board.

Dan Heney is the Acting Regional Fire Chief for the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority.

“That is just another example of BRFA members demonstrating their commitment to their community,” Regional Fire Chief Heney told Lakeland Connect. “All of the BRFA fire stations and other divisions give back more than just their time as first responders; they regularly give to, plan or lead local community giving programs to ensure that our residents benefit from them. Our members are invested in their communities to a degree that rarely gets noticed because that’s not why they do it, they do it because they can and it’s the right thing to do.”

Basically, the way the program works is, the FCSS has a series of signs printed up that say, “A Snow Angel is needed here.” The FCSS makes them available to individuals who would need a snow angel to help keep their sidewalk clear. People who need help can drop it in the ground in their lot and people who go by who are looking to do the right thing, grab their shovel and go over and clear a sidewalk.

A magical way to show the senior population in our community that residents care.

In our world of first responders, which is all about public safety, the Snow Angel program is vital in ensuring citizen safety, Regional Fire Chief Heney says.

“With COVID-19 doing its fair share to make people feel isolated and cut off from their community, Winter weather doesn’t do them any favours,” Heney said. “The Snow Angel program ensures that many folks are able to safely navigate their way outside as well as family, friends, and caregivers are able to safely visit them. Feeling connected is a foundational piece of long-term health and wellness, and the Snow Angel program contributes to that feeling.”