Refined fire bans
Sharon McLeay
Times Contributor
Gerald Skibinsky, the manager of Protective Services/Fire/Disaster and Safety Coordinator for the County of Wheatland, discussed concerns he has over the fire ban procedures used within the County, at the June 10 Council meeting.
“We are seeing inconsistencies of bans within the County, which is causing confusion when it comes to issuing permits,” said Skibinsky.
He looked at other municipalities and said they had developed a fire hazard rating system. The County of Rocky View uses a two level system. The Level One label indicates all permits for fires throughout the county are suspended due to dry and windy conditions. At this level: fireplaces, incinerators, burning barrels, camp stoves, charcoal, propane and gas BBQ’s, recreational campfires in an approved pit 24 inches or less, chimeneas, fires in approved camping facilities and oil flaring with registration are allowed.
In Level Two, permits are banned and incinerators, burning barrels, charcoal BBQs, recreational campfires in approved pits, chimeneas and fires in approved facilities, which were allowed in Level One, are now banned.
Councillor Brenda Knight suggested that adopting a system similar to the colour code system utilized by the provincial parks would be good, especially for tourists unfamiliar with county regulations.
Billing issues
Skibinsky said he has sent letters to the departments indicating that they had to tell landowners up front of decisions to call in equipment from outside sources to fight the fire. They were to make it clear to the landowner that they would have to pay for the equipment through their insurance policies. Otherwise, the payment was the responsibility of the fire department to collect. Council discussed the possible repercussions, such as whose responsibility it was if equipment was not called out by choice of the fire department or landowner.
“If they have to chase the money,” said Councillor Alice Booth, “there is the danger that they won’t call the equipment out. We don’t want them to hesitate. We need a discussion around that issue with all the fire departments.”
Prompt billing by the fire department to the landowner, before insurance companies closed the file, was stressed.
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As in previous discussions on incidents that have happened in the past, the onus is on the landowner to retain adequate insurance.
Other fire matters
Discussion moved on to other department matters. Councillor Ben Armstrong asked Skibinsky if on every fire call out, crews needed a safety manager on site. He had heard it was a new government requirement. Skibinsky said he would check and report to council on the issue.
Skibinsky asked council to wait on provincial direction for the fireworks bylaw. He and Jim Cammaert are working on developing a bylaw for Wheatland County.
“I would like to wait and see what develops in the Provincial Act, because we may need to make changes,” said Skibinsky.
He apprised council of a fire training grant obtained for County firefighters of $16,500 and that a fire guardian meeting will be held in Standard on June 27. He was hoping all the Fire Chiefs would attend.
Skibinsky thanked council for letting him attend a Fire Conference, which provided a wealth of new information and resources that he will be relaying to area fire departments. Skibinsky also forwarded examples of Fire Chief job descriptions he was to give to the fire review committee, so they could be evaluated and put forward to the fire review.
Appointments
Council accepted Mark Hielman as interim Fire Chief for the Carseland fire department, pending the outcome of reinstatement proceedings for the previous Chief.
The Reeve and Ben Armstrong were accepted as representatives from Council, to serve on the Emergency Management Committee.
As in previous discussions on incidents that have happened in the past, the onus is on the landowner to retain adequate insurance.
Other fire matters
Discussion moved on to other department matters. Councillor Ben Armstrong asked Skibinsky if on every fire call out, crews needed a safety manager on site.
He had heard it was a new government requirement. Skibinsky said he would check and report to council on the issue.
Skibinsky asked council to wait on provincial direction for the fireworks bylaw. He and Jim Cammaert are working on developing a bylaw for Wheatland County.
“I would like to wait and see what develops in the Provincial Act, because we may need to make changes,” said Skibinsky.
He apprised council of a fire training grant obtained for County firefighters of $16,500 and that a fire guardian meeting will be held in Standard on June 27. He was hoping all the Fire Chiefs would attend.
Skibinsky thanked council for letting him attend a Fire Conference, which provided a wealth of new information and resources that he will be relaying to area fire departments. Skibinsky also forwarded examples of Fire Chief job descriptions he was to give to the fire review committee, so they could be evaluated and put forward to the fire review.
Appointments
Council accepted Mark Hielman as interim Fire Chief for the Carseland fire department, pending the outcome of reinstatement proceedings for the previous Chief.
The Reeve and Ben Armstrong were accepted as representatives from Council, to serve on the Emergency Management Committee.