GLF History

A Dream Realized

A group from Gun Lake worked together to build a “fire brigade”. Some initial members were Fred Hoch, Bart Bastien, Bud McStay, John Leighton, John Forber, Henry Joyal and Bill Fetterley. A towable fire trailer, equipped with a pump, hose and hand tools was built and was available for use to all should the need arise.

In late 1994, with the aid of the Gun Lake Ratepayers Association, the SLRD worked on boundaries and a land use permit for the GLFPS to use the property at the junction of Gun Lake West and Lakeview Road for a fire structure. The SLRD provided a grant and GLRA worked hard to meet government requirements and once the permit was obtained, the clearing of the land began.

On December 15, 1995 a bylaw was passed by the SLRD to establish a local service within a portion of the Electoral Area A for the purpose of providing a financial contribution for wildland fire protection for Gun Lake. The community now had a base and a goal – a fire hall.  On March 23, 1999 the Gun Lake Fire Protection Society was incorporated. A second fire trailer was built and regular practices commenced.

Today GLFPS is funded primarily by a parcel tax which is a fixed amount that is added to property taxes.