Wheatland County to supervise Strathmore Rural and Carseland Fire

Times Contributor 

 

Wheatland County will assume direct supervision of the Strathmore and Carseland Rural Fire Fighting Response and Rescue Response Areas. The decision was made by Wheatland County council after they heard a report from Ken Kendall Consulting and recommendations from county staff on June 17.

“I needed to look at this in a forthright manner as there are two fire associations to be determined,” said Ken Kendall.

Kendall presented reasons why four other operational models would not work and why he chose direct supervision by the county. The report stipulated the county develop a smooth transitional process, a clear organizational decision making model, with a clear chain of command with policies and procedures provided to the two services. The county will create a capital budget for the services, assuming responsibility for operational maintenance of equipment and the halls. The county would also be responsible to develop training programs.

Kendall said he talked with all levels of fire volunteers and the responses from those working on the floor and upper management were cohesive.

“This is positive, in a sense if there were polar opposites of opinion in the rank and file and the volunteers it would be very different,” said Kendall. “They just want to serve the public and do a good job … that is the common motivator.”

Assessment of assets in the two halls will be done and Kendall said that any equipment purchased by a community fundraising effort will stay with the community fire hall that did the fundraising. 

Separating Carseland and Strathmore Rural into two separate entities will be done in the future and Wheatland County would look at building a new hall in Carseland, as their current building is inadequate. 

In the evening of June 17, Kendall presented the Carseland and Strathmore Rural Fire Department report to 21 volunteer firefighters at the Carseland Fire Hall. He also met with 32 residents in the Carseland Community Hall, in a meeting that was somewhat subdued from other meetings conducted with the community on this issue. 

“Our concerns have died down some and we are much calmer than we were,” said Carseland Firefighting Association President Adrian Knaus.

For the most part, those in attendance held a watch-and-see attitude while others saw the move as positive, leaving a large amount of responsibility with the county. Kendall said the existing firefighting associations, although not involved in the day-to-day operations, could be effective in fundraising, support and community awareness.

General Manager of Agriculture, Community and Protective Services Jim Laslo introduced the 18-page Bylaw 2014-3 in Wheatland Council on June 17 for first reading, to establish county authority and define details for operating the new fire supervision. 

“We wanted to have all things that pertain to fire in this one bylaw,” said Laslo.

First reading was passed by council.

Ken Kendall’s report and the bylaw are available on the county web site www.wheatlandcounty.ca , under County Announcements for public review and feedback. Comments can be forwarded to Alan Parkin, Chief Administrative Officer, at Alan.Parkin@wheatlandcounty.ca or by telephone at 403-934-3321. 

All comments received by Parkin will be presented to Wheatland County council at the July 15 regular council meeting. There is no public hearing, but Reeve Glenn Koester said he usually provides time for any questions, should they arise.

Kendall left the door open for any other fire associations in the county to consider county administration and direct supervision should they need the help, or decide that as an option for their service in the future.