Community first

Times Contributor

 

At the July 29th Strathmore Rural Fire Fighting Association (SRFFA) meeting, a call went out to put aside personal arguments and think of the community first.

“Think of the community. This shouldn’t be personal. We are protecting the community. We have to keep that in mind,” said Brad Garner, to all members.

Two suspended firefighters were given the opportunity to return to duty under a one year incident free probation period. Both men have selflessly responded to the call and the communities’ need by agreeing to return. 

Some observers from the Carseland community felt the terms of reinstatement did not take into consideration the men’s long standing service record and they indicated the terms were too intense. Others questioned whether judgements were being applied universally to all firefighters within the association. Garner hoped embers of simmering resentments in the community, fueled by a few recent altercations and arguments over fire issues, could be dispersed so healing in the association can begin. There is still interest in the Carseland community to separate into two separate associations. 

It remains to be seen whether President Bruce Rande can meet the challenge to bridge the current gap and bring both sides back together under one roof. 

Rande committed to monitoring the situation closely and said that he will take all necessary measures to restore normal operation in both halls. Carseland had only two to three members responding to the 11 calls done in June. Members of the Strathmore crew responded to make up a full response crew. Carseland businessmen and community members, observing at the meeting, were worried about inadequate fire coverage in their area. 

Crew numbers were down as some of the Carseland members were on Leave of Absence, for personal reasons. Rande said it is a volunteer service and if members needed leave, the Association cannot force them to return. A recruiting drive will be held in the near future to boost volunteer numbers. Also, a vote of confidence was given by the SRFFA to the interim Chief Mark Heilman, who is currently covering both halls.

“He is the best person for the position. He has stepped up and taken flack for something that was not of his doing,” said Rande.”I commend him and have seen nothing but support for him.”

The association has been through an inferno in the last year, due to a bookkeeping scandal and resulting legal proceedings. The board has gone into strict adherence of policies to rectify matters and put the association back on even footing. The recent deliverance of 2012 funding by the County of Wheatland helped the association pay $6,000 of back bills. However, a spot fire cropped up at the July 29th meeting, when Carseland Ag Society notified them that a $12,000 mortgage payment had been overlooked and was two years in arrears. 

“This requires a show of good faith,” said Ag President Rita Krugar.” I need some kind of information to take back to the board.”

The SRFFA requested the documentation and time to set a recommended action.

“We need a common sense solution and settle this in the best way. Our intent is to pay but the timeline is in question,” said Rande.

The board is maintaining a tight hold on its spending, requiring receipts and quotes before approving funds. Several department members had paid for necessary equipment out of pocket and funds were not delivered unless receipts and approval were given.

The process left delays in equipment repairs, minor purchases and department members needing recertification and driver’s licensing.

Under current National Safety Standards and the Alberta Traffic Safety act, all firefighting vehicles require regular maintenance, safety and equipment checks, trip reports, and extensive five year record keeping for all drivers of fire vehicles. Policies need to be in place to ensure drivers are adequately qualified, provided with training and their driving skills evaluated. Any traffic infractions for drivers have to be reported. If any of the standards are not maintained, stringent penalties are levied to the registered owners of the vehicle and the drivers, and can even extend to persons loading, unloading, rearranging loads, record keeping or directing traffic, if it is proved that they were aware that the standard requirements were not in place. For a complete standards list see www.trans.gov.ab.ca/Content/doctype276/production/edmanual.htm or call Vehicle Safety and Carrier Services Branch, Carrier Services Section:(403) 340-5444.