Gleichen Fire Department re-opens

Times Reporter

 

Residents in Gleichen can rest a little easier after the Gleichen and District Fire Department re-opened March 9. Members of the department presented Wheatland County council with their proposal on March 8. 

“They took the locks off at 10 a.m. and reinstated us at 10 a.m. We had a relatively positive council meeting yesterday,” said Deputy Fire Chief Mike Burne, on March 9. “There’s some things we have to iron out, but council liked most of our plans, most of what we presented to them.”

Burne said most of council seemed to accept the proposal and only had the department change a few things and rectify some problems within. One thing mentioned, said Burne, was council does want to have the department up and running. It was a matter of getting things ironed out more to their liking. For the next little while the county will be keeping an eye on the department, making sure things stay on track. 

“There are things that were mandated in our minutes that we were supposed to do and it just didn’t get done. Now they are saying these things have to get done or we could find ourselves right back in this position,” said Burne.

“I don’t foresee this being an issue down the road, I really don’t. Yeah they’re going to be watching us pretty carefully for the next little while, that is a for sure, but I don’t see this being an issue after this point.”

Gleichen Fire Association President Barb Clarke has stepped down from her duties.  

“Barb has been treated a little bit less than fair throughout this process with some of the things that have been said towards her,” said Burne. 

She didn’t have the type of power that has been perceived by the public. He believes in this particular instance she has been treated unfairly, though he did say he understands the county’s position on wanting the current administration to resign. As for the issues with the bookkeeping Burne said, their understanding was they needed to finalize numbers from 2008 to make sure they didn’t make the same mistake in 2009. 

“I still believe there is miscommunication in regards to that. But that has been resolved, 2008 is clear and is released and now we’ll get 2009 and 2010 in right away.”

On March 9 in a press release Wheatland County said they have come to an agreement with the Gleichen Fire Association to allow for the immediate re-opening of the Gleichen Fire Hall and the resumption of responsibilities for fighting fires and providing emergency services within Wheatland County. Council appreciated the opportunity to participate in the discussion at the Gleichen Arena on March 3. The Gleichen and District Community Development Council hosted the discussion. Ron Mccanna, Citizens Representative for the council said they are, “just happy to hear it is open.”

The Gleichen Fire Association will be holding it’s Annual General Meeting on March 22 at 7:30 p.m., the location is to be announced. It will be open to the public.