County fire chiefs ask for unbiased chair

Times Contributor

 

Wheatland fire chiefs are asking council to appoint a new, independent fire chair for the County fire departments. They see the role of the new chair as: providing information on training matters, advising on capital funding issues, being the main contact to the County on the fire departments’ behalf, and providing help with applications, permits, and regulations. The chair would also liaison with the Fire Commissioners office, advocate, and promote the various departments’ needs. 

The minutes provided to Chief Administrative Officer Alan Parkin indicate that the fire chiefs currently feel fire departments are inadequately represented. Members have concerns that an employee of the County, by definition, creates bias. They feel the level of advocacy and the promotion of the local fire departments’ concerns are significantly below their expectations. A motion was made for the current chair, County appointed and employed, to step down and not attend meetings. 

Council appointed the County Protective Services/Fire/Disaster and Safety (PSFDS) Manager to the role. They considered that he holds credentials greater than those held by members in the volunteer fire ranks and has extensive firefighting experience. The County designated liaison duties, as part of the manager’s job description. They expected anyone in the position would liaison with the fire departments and work with them to provide information to various regulatory and legislative departments. 

Council members were visibly shaken by the request and indicated that they had major concerns with the request. They indicated they felt the current PSFDS Manager had fulfilled his job mandate and as an employer, council needed to show support.

Councillor Brenda Knight said that it seemed to indicate that the fire departments wanted to create their own regionalized service, with the County footing the costs. Councillor Ben Armstrong indicated the County’s right to have representation at the meeting and that the PSFDS Manager was appointed as the liaison to the County contractors. Parkin suggested that there may be a conflict of personalities involved in the request.

“I can recognize a problem when I see one. We have work to be done,” said Councillor Ken Sauve, who suggested it may have to do with miscommunication and worries about the ongoing Fire Services Review. 

“This puts us in a very difficult position as our agreements are with the Fire Associations,” said Reeve Glenn Koester.

Council decided to send a letter from the CAO and Wheatland Council, requesting all the Fire Associations meet and discuss the motion made at the fire chiefs meeting.

Cluny fire observation tour incomplete 

Wheatland County Manager of Protective Services/Fire/Disaster and Safety (PSFDS) asked Wheatland County council for direction and support regarding the incomplete Observation Tour of the Cluny Fire Department. He said that the deadline for completing the tour and submitting the documentation was up November 2012. He had delayed the tour several times, in order for the department to prepare for the tour.

The Tour is required under Certificates of Recognition (COR), to ensure that the County can provide WCB coverage for volunteer firefighters. www.amhsa.net. Skibinsky was asked by Council to assist departments in meeting requirements and providing documentation for the certification. 

The regulations stipulate that municipalities must include fire departments in their health and safety management system, if they have the same WCB account number as their employing municipality. If they have a different WCB account, they are excluded from interviews, documentation review, and observational tours. 

“It is an issue of safety for our volunteer firefighters and it is a legal requirement,” said Wheatland CAO Alan Parkin.

“We are responsible to our ratepayers. If something happens, it is our liability that is one the line,” said Councillor Ben Armstrong.

Council directed the Reeve to send a letter to the Cluny fire department, stating their requirement to have the tour completed by the end of May.

General business 

Wheatland County Manager of Protective Services/Fire/Disaster and Safety (PSFDS) updated Wheatland Council on recent PSFDS activities completed on behalf of Council, County staff, ratepayers and the Fire Services. They included: completion of staff first aid certifications, acquiring a $16,000 training grant for fire services, continued development of an Emergency Response Plan, scheduled to be completed by fall 2013 and liaison with Vulcan County regarding assistance during emergency disaster situations. He also indicated that Gleichen Fire Chief Richard Clarke had stepped down and Mike Burne was appointed, pending documentation completion.