The old Fire Alarm phone system (473-2411) that served the Willow Bunch area for many, many years reached the end of it's life on December 15, 2010. Everyone in the Willow Bunch area must now dial 911 to report a Fire Emergency.

Dialling 911 for Fire Emergencies in the Willow Bunch area is not new. It actually started several years ago.

Prior to December 15, 2010 the 911 dispatchers relayed emergency calls to the Willow Bunch Fire Department through the old 473-2411 number. On December 15, 2010 the old Fire Alarm phone system (473-2411) was retired and replaced with a new system.

This new system sends automated voice calls and text messages to each fireman's cell and/or home phones with detailed information on emergencies needing their assistance.

Prior to December 15, 2010 it was possible to bi-pass 911 and call the old Fire Alarm phone system (473-2411) directly. And, even though that practice was discouraged for numerous reasons, it did occasionally happen and those making the calls were successful in getting a response to their fire emergency. But, now that 473-2411 is turned off that will no longer be the case. Everyone in the Willow Bunch area must now dial 911 to report a Fire Emergency.

For more information please contact the Willow Bunch Fire Department, the Willow Bunch Town/RM office, or visit Sask911.

In November 2010 the Willow Bunch Fire Department commissioned new P25 Radios.

These new Radios are part of the Provincial Public Safety Telecommunications Network. PPSTN is a public safety radio system that enables participating public safety agencies to communicate with each other using state-of-the-art technology. This new system will allow the Willow Bunch to stay in constant communication with 911 Dispatch while we are responding to call. We will also be able to communicate directly with the fire departments in the surrounding municipalities, the RCMP, SaskPower, SaskEnergy, or EMS should the need arise. The new radios will also allow us to communicate directly with the RM42 Rdaios should we need their assistance (e.g. graders for a grass fire).