Carseland community reaction to fire contract failure

Times Contributor       

 

There was a mixed response from the Carseland community, to news that the Strathmore Rural Firefighting Association (SRFFA) could not fulfill the terms of their Joint Fire Service Agreement and that Standard Rural Fire Association would be given temporary oversight for their fire hall.

A public meeting was set up by Rita Kruger and held at the Carseland hall on March 27, to discuss the ramifications of the contract termination. It drew Wheatland County councillors and department staff, the public and members of the various county fire associations and fire crews. 

“I don’t think that board was looking at the best decisions for Carseland. We want to eliminate the political rhetoric that this fire hall has gone through with the Strathmore Fire Fighting Association. We are proud of our volunteers in this town, it has made our town what it is and the volunteer firefighters are part of that, and we want to have that recognized. We are not against working with the other board, as long as things are done properly,” said Adrian Knaus.

The Carseland community has been advocating for over a year to separate from the SRFA, as community support has indicated they have the community resources to support a separate association. Last year’s fire service review had set out to Wheatland officials that such a move is a desirable development. 

Wheatland CAO Parkin concurred that it was the path the county was on and cited passages of the recent fire service review that supports this; but he warned, it would take some time to get resources and structures realigned in the county, so it could eventually be accomplished. Parkin indicated cooperative interaction and putting old resentments aside would go a long way in facilitating the process. 

“This is a good opportunity to do this,” said Parkin. “I want people to participate.”

There were deep scars still in evidence in some of the Carseland community members, over the 2013 reinstatement issue concerning the former Carseland Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief. When the issue resurfaced in the discussion, there was a call for a show of hands on the issue. Audience voices indicated there were split opinions on the issue. 

Parkin said that the county was aware of the issue and did appreciate the Carseland community concerns, but suggested it needed to be put aside to move forward. Parkin suggested the individuals involved may need to take alternative actions. 

Parkin was firm and direct at the meeting, as there was some heckling and one heated exchange did erupt in the question period. However, parties stepped back and focused on the positive, to deal with the issue at hand. Councillor Don Vander Velde also asked people to calm down and asked community members direct any comments to him, as his wife was inappropriately harassed over the phone earlier in the day. He stated given time things would work themselves out to the positive.

The fledgling Carseland Fire Association was newly formed March 22, 2013. The members got a surprise with the announcement that their society was in danger of being insolvent, as they had failed to file the annually required forms with the provincial Societies registry and they had not yet held an annual general meeting that is required by the societies Act. 

Parkin indicated he could facilitate help to get the association back on track. Several members of the Carseland community indicated they would address the matter and organize to rectify the error immediately. There were community members interested in getting help to ensure the Carseland association was set up in a fashion that was acceptable to the county.

“There are ten thousand rumours and a thousand thoughts; I would like to see us find one direction that we can go, so all the people in our area are satisfied. If we don’t have volunteers we have nothing. If we don’t have people willing to sit on the board because of the conflict, then we still have nothing. I would like to see us put all the conflict behind us and move on, and make this a more viable community. It’s time to man up and get the job done. We need to get our feet in the stirrups and get on with it,” said Ron Buttars.

Carseland call statistics were provided, as there were some questions about what statistics were on file with the county. 

Parkin said he would keep everyone updated about developments moving forward and asked that people contact him with their concerns. He also requested they remain patient as organizational details were being put in place.