Our Whiteshell Laboratories Fire Department (WLFD) is honoured to be supporting the City of Thompson and Thompson Fire Emergency Services (TFES) with an urgent staffing challenge.
On January 29, 2025, the Deputy Minister of Manitoba Health contacted the WLFD on behalf of the City of Thompson to enquire about the team’s capacity to support a provincial response to ensure a continued high level of emergency response service for the City of Thompson and the wider region.
The WLFD was able to respond to the request for assistance by immediately mobilizing two cross-trained firefighters-medics, while maintaining safety, upholding regulatory commitments, and maintaining robust response capabilities on the Whiteshell Laboratories (WL) site.
On February 1, 2025, firefighters Will Forrest and Lieutenant Mitch Kubas departed for Thompson, accompanied by WL Fire Chief Brent MacDonald. The TFES did an equipment orientation with the WL team for a safe integration.
WL Fire personnel started emergency response with TFES and responded to over 15 emergencies within the first 24 hours of being in Thompson. The teams conducted joint training in firefighter CPR, rapid intervention training, and general firefighting tactics in between calls.
WLFD’s commitment to support Thompson is set to continue. On February 6, two new WLFD firefighter/medics transitioned into Thompson, and the first two came home on February 7.
CNL WLFD appreciates the opportunity to provide critical assistance to the citizens of Manitoba. The capacity and capability of WLFD are a testament to the collective effort to demonstrate CNL’s commitment to a best-in-class fire protection program.
