Communication tower approved to aid in emergencies
By Sharon McLeay Times Contributor
Better communication for emergency responders led to Wheatland County’s approval for the construction and purchase of a new communications tower that would be used to improve the safety and expediency of fire service communication.
“Fire at the Carseland transfer site in 2016 brought to the forefront of having separate communication systems for the fire department,” stated Wheatland County staff in their request for proposal.
The county’s public works shop foreman will coordinate supplies and installation, and schedule ongoing maintenance for the tower. The tower installation and acquisition costs $133,896.08 and power connection costs $15,000, with land lease costs $5,000 for the first year and $3,300 for the subsequent years of a five-year contract.
Staff stated they analyzed upgrading the current system and determined that purchasing the150-foot tower and leasing the site would be the most cost-effective move. The tower in question is expected to have a 50-year lifespan.
Speargrass Boulevard
Wheatland County council passed second and third readings for road closures on areas in Speargrass formerly designated as road allowance, and later grassed for public recreation use by the community. By closing the areas from the road plan, the areas revert to Wheatland County ownership.
After approval, the matter was referred to the provincial transportation minister and returned to council to finalize.
The approval allows a re-designated use and will allow possibility for improvements on those areas, such as trees and benches.
New gravel pit and road construction
Wheatland County transportation staff are looking ahead into gravel purchases. Diminishing gravel resources mean supplies for road work may be harder to locate and farther to transport, unless suitable supplies can be secured.
“We are looking at purchasing this pit for future inventory, a 15- to 20-year range before we open it up. We are looking to purchase so we have it,” said Mike Ziehr, Wheatland County transportation and infrastructure manager.
The purchase of 160 acres of land at SE 34-22-21-4 is estimated to supply about 4.3 million tonnes of gravel. The total cost of land purchase and gravel payment will be $4,302,972 plus GST, coming out of the capital budget fund.
A total of $1 million was also approved out of the unpaved road reserve to complete construction in 2018 on range road 201 between Highway 561 and range road 240. Delays on provincial transportation approval on township road 230 occurred due to wetland area approvals. It was due to be completed this year; however, it was moved for completion in 2019, after approval comes through. In the meantime, work will begin on range road 201.
Formalized fire services mutual aid agreement
Most fire services have an informal agreement to respond to other fire service calls in an emergency. However, a formal agreement is thought to define parameters that provide clarity and protection for both parties.
“Both Vulcan County and Wheatland County fire services provide mutual aid to each other and have begun to build a good, strong relationship with each of the departments,” stated Judy Unsworth, Wheatland County’s fire and emergency management coordinator. “The approval of this agreement would strengthen the existing relationship by providing formalization to processes currently being used.”
Unsworth said the county is working on formalizing all mutual aid agreements with other municipalities. Under the agreement, no fees will be charged for responding to each other’s area, unless a state of emergency has been declared and funding provided for the response services dealing with the incident.
“Having an approved fire services agreement, at no cost to either municipality, ensures seamless response to any customer’s emergency needs without worry of economic repercussions,” said Unsworth.
Council approved the agreement, which will expire in August 2023.
Joint training sessions will occur involving both counties’ fire personnel, so they are prepared should any mutual response need arise.