Looking for positive results

Times Contributor    

 

The implementation plan for the Wheatland County fire service review will come to council on May 20. Residents should be aware that they can review documents released to council the Thursday before the meeting. The plan will be on the county website www.wheatlandcounty.ca for public review, prior to the meeting. Comments received from the public in writing, forwarded to council for their consideration, will also be posted on the website.

There were five options proposed and council will decide on what action it will take. At this level, there will be no further consultations with the public, as there have been extensive meetings with association members, fire department staff, municipal leaders and county representatives. Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Alan Parkin did not know what recommendations council would choose.

“I don’t know … it is not my job to do that and it is why I suggested we hire a consultant. I can’t say that we will remain with the status quo. The review has been accepted by council and that is what we have to use moving forward,” said Parkin.

He qualified, however, that any struggling or failed associations will have their governance reviewed, to ensure that quality fire service can be delivered to the area’s residents. 

Parkin said historically reviews have led to forming a commission, or adapted an advisory board structure, run by the local municipality and the advisory board. In the fire review, there is an option for the county to take over administration and supervision of fire services. 

“If you look at the City of Calgary, it runs the fire service, but their advisory board has a fire commission, and the same for their police service, and they are very valuable assets to the operation of the service,” said Parkin. “There may not be one model that works for everything in this county. Associations may not be the way to go for the future; it may be a mix of advisory boards or commissions. It may need to be individualized or customized to fit the circumstances in each area.” 

Parkin said he did not agree with the county taking over all the associations and setting up a commission; as some of the associations within the county are doing just fine. He did say though that some associations like Strathmore Rural and Carseland, and possibly Gleichen were struggling, so looking at governance issues for those areas is imminent. 

“Two or three of the other associations have also come to us saying, ‘our association is working good for now, but we see in two to four years that people who have contributed many years might be gone and we don’t have anyone interested in replacing them,’” said Parkin. “I have said to council that there shouldn’t be any reason why we can’t look at governance models as the need arises.” 

Dalum fire chief Albert Jensen said to his knowledge it will be business as usual for their fire services, but said it was common knowledge in the fire community that some of the other halls were struggling. He said that members of their association are open to working with the county to help other associations, providing tips on what has worked in their community.

“There have been so many meetings on all of this and it has been stretching us thin,” said Jensen. “We need to get things resolved, so we all can get back to business.”

Treasurer for the Carseland Fire Association, Tina Scott, said if the county takes over and goes to an advisory council, she would serve out her term, but then give notice, as she felt serving on such a committee would not hold much weight in decision-making process.

At a public meeting held in Carseland on April 28, Parkin asked if any community members would be interested in sitting on an advisory board.

“It surprised me that the community said they weren’t interested in participating on an advisory board,” said Parkin. “I don’t understand that, but maybe they misunderstood the role it would have. It is a tremendous opportunity.”

Parkin said the role of the advisory board would be advising council about community issues and acting as liaison with the community. Parkin said this type of committee generally has a fair amount of impact on decisions made. 

There are fears in the community that funds raised and equipment paid for will be absorbed by the county and redirected. Parkin said existing equipment will remain in the fire halls and any financial issues arising from governance changes will be reviewed, with recommendations and suggestions for management brought to council before actions are taken. 

Consultant Kenneth Kendall will be bringing the rural governance recommendations for Strathmore Rural and Carseland areas to council about June 3. 

Kendall has over a decade of experience in county administration and has also worked with the province’s Municipal Affairs department on many issues. He has been a volunteer fire fighter for 17 years, and is now in the fire consultation business and has done reviews for other counties. Parkin said Kendall has done a number of these types of reviews, with fire associations in other counties. Parkin said Kendall is aware of the unique nature of Wheatland County’s current fire structure.

Parkin said anyone having concerns, should discuss them with their fire service representative, submit them in writing to the county, or phone him at the county (403) 934- 3321, and he can direct them to Kendall as well. To date they have received no calls from the public. 

The governance report will be discussed in camera due to legal and confidentiality issues that are involved.