Veteran firefighter Keri Martens takes over as Banff’s new chief

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Banff’s new hearth chief, Keri Martens, brings greater than 30 years of expertise to the place, together with 18 years main the Lake Louise hearth division.

“In Lake Louise (in 1991), there weren’t a complete lot of choices. I had associates on the division on the time they usually inspired me to come back down and test it out. It didn’t take lengthy after that I spotted there simply wasn’t one other place I needed to be,” the Saskatoon, Sask.-area native mentioned of her begin in Alberta.

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Martens joined Canmore Fireplace-Rescue’s ranks as deputy hearth chief in 2018, and in spring 2023 joined Banff’s ranks as deputy hearth chief.

Martens is now succeeding former Banff hearth chief Russ Geyer, who retired on the finish of August after 16 months as hearth chief and three a long time with the division.

“We’re very lucky to have Keri,” mentioned Geyer. “To deliver Keri on and having labored along with her for a year-and-a-half has made for a terrific transition.”

Geyer, who was born and raised in Banff, had plans to begin a profession in schooling earlier than he fell into and stoked a ardour for firefighting.

He spoke extremely of the division’s group involvement, which he mentioned has solely grown over his 33 years in service.

“That hasn’t modified. That’s the great half about it … We’re an actual half — a caring half — of the group and revered by the group, and in flip, we give 100 per cent again. That’s one thing that’s been constant and I’ve been very pleased with over all these years.”

Martens mentioned a lot of that backing, locally and within the area could be credited to sturdy and supportive management.

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Martens, who was the primary feminine board member named to the Canadian Affiliation of Fireplace Chiefs in 2017 and has labored with the Worldwide Affiliation of Fireplace Chiefs, appears ahead to persevering with to champion variety in what’s a historically male-dominated career.

Being one among few ladies working within the area was not one thing that phased her a lot within the early levels of her profession.

It wasn’t till her daughter, who’s now nearly 14 years previous, instructed her she needed to observe in her mom’s footsteps and turn into a firefighter, that she gave the problem extra thought.

“She was little. She was possibly 5, and it was like, ‘Oh, I assume I higher get extra concerned to essentially be sure that that is an atmosphere that I’d encourage my daughter to affix,”‘ mentioned Martens.

It was the driving force for Martens to turn into concerned provincially and internationally to advocate for variety in firefighting, for all walks of life.

“I’ve been in a room full of fireplace chiefs the place I’ve been the one girl. I’ve been in rooms stuffed with quite a lot of completely different leaders or managers for various departments in quite a lot of locations, the place I’ve not essentially been taken as an authority determine, as a result of I’m a lady, however I strongly imagine we’re getting higher,” she mentioned.

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Martens expressed enthusiasm for the way forward for Banff’s hearth division emphasizing a collective dedication to advancing wildfire mitigation efforts as a key focus for the mountain city.

“Positively, wildfire mitigation is a large focus of in all probability all of ours — shifting that work ahead and persevering with to construct and develop this division and be sure that we’re in the very best place to handle our residents, our guests and one another.”

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