More studies for operational decision making

Wheatland County council discussed retaining Transitional Solutions Inc. (TSI) to perform an operational review on protective services, and provide information for the Fire Master Plan. County staff said it would be an effective planning and resource evaluation tool. It was mentioned that it would help shape plans around the building and staffing of the new Carseland Fire Hall as well.
Because TSI had connections to Green for Life, a condition of the contract would be to separate themselves from connection to that business, which is currently in legal negotiations with the county.
There were public reservations on this request for proposal, as the county just completed a review that took over five years to resolve which included volatile discussions and mediation from the Alberta Fire Commissioner; as a result, some people are hesitant to ask for another study.
“I have spoken to one ratepayer who had some strong feelings in us engaging in another study,” said Reeve Amber Link.
She said she explained to the ratepayer what some departments gained through an organization review, and she felt the ratepayer understood the rationale behind the process.
“There is absolutely some concern from our firefighters and fire associations because we have done previous studies that, as a neighbouring municipality said, were words that have become ‘shelf art’ because the findings were not implemented. I do know that there are some really strong feelings about us investing money in work like this and then not following through,” said Link.
The study will cost $150,000. The current fixed price for the Fire Master Plan was $99,304, with $10,000 for protective service review.
Link said she felt the study would look at the county protective and fire services from a strategic perspective that would pinpoint gaps in service, and it would honour commitments made through the fire bylaw and the fire service board. She said it would answer questions needed to make informed decisions. She said the council’s biggest responsibility is to provide improved service in a more efficient manner.
“It is a way to look at the department and determine if that department is running in the most efficient way possible. Is our current organizational chart appropriate for the responsibilities within that department? Are there changes that need to be made in that department?” said Link.
She wanted support from council members that they were committed to implementing the findings of this study.
Councillor Donna Biggar said she felt the study would slow progress on the Carseland Fire Hall. She said nothing much has changed in Carseland, so a review might not be needed and savings perhaps could be made on the construction bids.
Councillor Ben Armstrong agreed that 50 per cent of the county calls are responded from Carseland hall and he felt a new hall is necessary.
Councillor Tom Ikert wondered if there were already suitable plans for fire halls retained by the county.
“This is what I despise in government. We have a study, another study and another study. There has to be a plan for the original one. No one had a problem with the size and the scope of the Carseland plan until the architects became involved and started to build a Taj Mahal. We know what we need, and that work has to be here somewhere,” said Ikert. “Can we not just go back to what we need? I don’t think we need a fire plan to figure this one out.”
Deputy Reeve Scott Klassen indicated that the findings of a new study may not necessarily provide helpful information and did not want to be obligated to support the new study’s results.
Councillor Glen Koester said council needed to be realistic and seek out good information to make decisions.
“If we had a really good plan, we wouldn’t be sitting here now looking for another one,” said Koester. “I am not judging anybody, but we don’t have the information.”
Council approved going ahead with the study on Aug. 20.