New or retrofit

Times Contributor 

 

The Fire Capital Committee came forth with their capital plan purchase requests, to ensure area fire crews have adequate equipment to meet needs within the county. 

“The delay of recommended large apparatus and completion of the Dalum fire station will impact the effective delivery of fire service delivery and ultimately the public and firefighters safety”, said Judy Unsworth, Emergency and Fire Services manager.

There was a request for a light rescue truck for Hussar at a price of $136,299. There is also a request for a Bush Buggy costing $108,396.50, and 60 per cent leaves $65,037.90

The county splits costs 60/40 with the associations, which mean the county pays $81,770.40 for its portion of the vehicle out of Large Fire Capital funds. Dalum Fire Association has the ground work prepared for the building their new fire hall. The county previously approved $537,443, as their share of the cost.  Dalum is asking for an advance of $200,000 on those funds, to begin building in the spring.

These requests are pending the budget approval on April 1.

Council approved the purchase requests.

Councillor Alice Booth brought up an equipment question that was not related to this specific request, but applicable to the information delivered to all fire fighters under Fire Chiefs making capital decisions. She said some firefighters had approached her concerned about purchases of new fire equipment, when old equipment could be reasonably upgraded. There was some clarification to the purchasing mandate that Booth said should be done. 

“They are concerned about having to purchase new equipment. They feel they are somewhat forced to buy new equipment, when they feel they can still utilize the existing equipment,” said Booth.

“As long as it is maintained and certified, they can use the equipment as long as they want,” said Councillor Ben Armstrong.

The Alberta Fire Commissioner www.ofc.alberta.ca  recommends fire services consider the following information found on their website, in regards to fire equipment replacement.

It is wasteful economy for a municipality not to provide apparatus and equipment of the best and most dependable type. The largest expense for a fire rescue service is the cost of maintenance of the fire apparatus and equipment, self-contained breathing apparatus, fire hall, licenses, insurances, heat and light. 

The initial cost of apparatus which has a service life of at least 20 years is proportionally small in the overall budget. 

The number of miles travelled and hours of pumping operation, do not normally provide a basis for determining the need for replacement. Many other factors limit the effective and economical life of an apparatus and make replacement desirable: advancements in design of fire-fighting equipment; inadequate protection for driver and fire fighters; structurally weakened chassis because of overloading; increased maintenance costs; parts replacement difficulties with old apparatus; and lack of reliability under the stress of emergency service. 

Some of these drawbacks increase the dangers to the public and to fire fighters because of the increased chance of accidents. 

Apparatus relieved from first-line service may be retained as reserve equipment; this should also be considered when assessing replacement costs. 

Reserve funds should be in place so that a fire rescue service is not left in the situation of shutting down because there are no funds available to continue, due to broken down equipment that cannot meet the certification. 

“The Fire Capital Committee has mandated that any new purchase must meet or exceed NFPA standards for fire apparatus, it doesn’t mean it has to be brand new, simply that any purchases must comply with current firefighting standards,” said Emergency and Fire Manager Judy Unsworth. “I was impressed by how thorough the Fire Capital Committee was and the time they took to review the considerations before them.

 

Emergency preparedness

Wheatland Council approved $5,050 on Feb. 18, to purchase emergency cots blankets and pillows to equip Carseland, Gleichen and Rosebud with necessary supplies to accommodate residents or visitors in case of emergencies. It is part of the Emergency Management Policy and Vision statement to make Wheatland County a safe and secure place for residents, businesses and visitors during any emergency situation or disaster. The supplies will be divided between the communities and kept in their respective community halls. 

Gleichen Community Association had previously requested supplies as they had been caught supplied in the past when blizzards closed the highway. Motorists were directed to the Gleichen Hall and the organizers had to make due with whatever supplies were available.

 

Inside job

On Feb. 18, Wheatland County council approved the practice of short-listing internal employees for available job openings within the county. The CAO qualified he will be advised by the interview panel’s final selection and then give his final approval.

“If the CAO and staff determine that someone fits the position, it should be up to them to decide to do this,” said Councilor Ben Armstrong.

Openings will be posted internally, one week prior to outside advertisement of available positions. It is a practice the county outlined in its corporate values directive for employee recruitment, promotion and retention.

There are differing views in human resource circles whether inside or outside hires are preferable.

Those supporting inside hires say:

• You can fill the position faster.

• The break-in and performance level is higher as the employee is familiar with the organization.

• Save on advertising costs.

• There is less need for salary negotiations.

• Eliminates the poor fit factor or moves it to entry positions.

• Is a job motivator as it supplies upward mobility.

• Rewards loyalty.

• Fills positions in time of low unemployment rates.

Those opposed say:

• It requires motivating staff to seek out the new positions.

• Logistics require an overlap that may have them doing both job positions work for a time.

• Promoting one staff member over another can sometimes cause internal resentments.

• Seniority doesn’t necessarily mean qualified, in fast changing industrys.

• Has a ripple effect, as when one job is filled another is vacant and may mean learning delays for multiple positions.

• No new ideas or skills coming into the company.

Councilor Booth cautioned that measures needed to be in place to ensure the candidates have the appropriate qualifications, to ensure quality service to the ratepayers within the county.