Council discusses a new agreement regarding fire services

Times Reporter

 

Cheadle Ice Rink

Cheadle is looking at creating an outdoor ice rink. The estimated cost of the project is $44,954.06. A letter was submitted to county councillors to ask for help with the project. Councillor Bernice Bland said her understanding is that they are just looking for assistance, not for the full amount. They would like it to be utilized year round and are looking to have the rink as safe and as warm as possible. The issue was tabled for further discussion. 

 

Joint fire service agreement

Gerald Skibinsky, Manager of Protective Services for Wheatland County, presented council with a draft of the joint fire service agreement to review. The draft was a sample document that had been provided by the province of Alberta. There were a few concerns about the wording on some parts of the draft. One of the things that will be reworded is the statement that emergency crews will be able to give immediate response in case of an emergency. Reeve Ben Armstrong said it is not feasible for them to give immediate response, and would like it to instead say they will give reasonable response. It was also pointed out that clarification was needed in regards to emergency crews rescuing people by any means necessary. Instead council would like to see it worded to say by any means necessary without endangering their, the emergency workers, own life. 

The county would also like to see a long-term budget of what may be or is needed. Council is not looking to disrupt the process and it will not affect the amount provided. It is just meant as a way to plan and prepare for the future. That way if any need for funding comes up, council and the department can be prepared to possibly provide extra funds. 

Council will bring a revised copy back at a later date for approval and endorsement. It will then be sent to the each of the fire fighters associations for their input and approval. 

 

Looking back at 2010 

and ahead to 2011

In 2010 everyone employed by the county took first aid courses. Everyone passed the course and Skibinsky said there will now be at least one person at every job site who is first aid trained. The county may be looking at hiring another peace officer at some point during 2011, though that has not fully been determined at this time. Thanks to grants from AMA, 70 fire fighters could be trained in the past year. Each of the fire departments around the county was given $20,000 for small capital funding. There will be another five training courses in 2011 for the fire departments. Skibinsky applied for grant funding again this year through AMA but stated he has also secured funds in the small capital budget to cover costs if needed. The fire departments will all also receive $20,000 this year for small capital funding. 

Another thing council and Skibinsky will be looking at in 2011 will be updating and amending the disaster bylaw. The bylaw was written in 1996 and there are a number of things that have changed since then in regards to disaster preparations.