County of Stettler says fire commission better for members

Stu Salkeld

The County of Stettler announced it is leaving the regional fire
agreement it has with the Town of Stettler and other communities and
is instead forming a fire commission. The County of Stettler says this
approach means everyone gets a seat at the table.

County of Stettler Reeve Larry Clarke confirmed the county’s May 21
announcement that it would leave the regional fire services agreement
it has with the Town of Stettler and other communities.

In a phone call May 29 Clarke reiterated the county “...did finally
decide to go to a commission,” rather than the current regional model.
Over the past two years the town, county and other communities have
worked within a revised and renewed regional framework that included a town fire chief, a county fire chief and a regional manager.

Clarke stated this revised system was well-received, particularly by
firefighters at the various fire halls. The County of Stettler
surveyed firefighters and found they liked the fire manager approach
as it tended to keep politics out of the fire departments.

“We’re not holding anything against the town but we can’t agree on
it,” said Clarke.

The reeve stated he’s been pushing the idea of a fire commission for
years, citing examples like the water commission and the regional
library network as ways for large areas to work together equally and
efficiently. Clarke pointed out the commission would include a board
of directors who could be elected officials, members at large or a
combination of both. The commission's budget would still need to be
approved by individual councils, but the reeve pointed out Parkland
Regional Library System does this every year with very few issues.

Clarke pointed out all other members of the regional fire agreement
have been invited to join the new commission, including the Town of
Stettler, Village of Big Valley and summer villages.

Town of Stettler Mayor Sean Nolls confirmed the county’s decision,
adding that there is a process in place for such a change. Nolls
stated in a May 30 phone interview the regional agreement signed a
couple of years ago includes rules for handling a member community
which wishes to leave the agreement.

Nolls noted there is a three year period of negotiation included that
involves a transitional committee but it’s still early in the process.
“At this time we’re still talking,” said Nolls.

Nolls stated the Town of Stettler wants to find a way forward in this
situation that works for all parties involved, and observed that, for
example, the way fires in town are fought can be quite different than
what rural or farmland firefighting requires.

The mayor reassured the public by noting all mutual aid agreements
will remain in place and that firefighting services should remain
virtually unchanged. “Everything should look exactly the same,” said
the mayor.

Reeve Clarke stated taxpayers shouldn’t feel anxiety over a commission
idea as the County of Stettler already owns a lot of equipment and a
lot of property. As well, Clarke agreed mutual aid agreements will
remain in place.

However, he pointed out before a commission is up and running some
steps remain: formal letters have to be sent to the regional members
and a transition committee needs to be formed to examine and catalogue assets to decide where they should go.

Clarke added that a commission will best serve individual areas as
they’ll have their own seats at the table.