CARSTAIRS - Fire department members were busier in 2022 than in the previous two years, responding to more than 300 calls last year, Carstairs Fire Department Chief Jordan Schaffer told council recently.
Appearing as a delegation at last week’s council meeting, the chief explained that the department responded to a total of 334 calls in 2022, up from 281 in 2021 and 240 in 2020.
Members responded to 126 EMS calls, 60 motor vehicle collision calls, 48 alarms, 34 outside fire calls, 31 fire calls, 18 mutual aid calls, seven public assist calls, seven utility calls, and three hazardous materials calls.
During the March 27 council meeting, council approved the updated Fire Call Assistance Compensation Policy No. 23-002-23.
The policy now sets out the various levels of training firefighters can obtain, including Level 5 firefighter which includes ICO 100, 1001 level 2 firefighters, 1051 wildland, 1072 operations, airbrake, 1002 driver operator, 1002 pump operator, Class 3, and 1002 aerial operator.
The town's chief administrative officer Rick Blair said, “The biggest part of this (update) is that our firefighter levels now reflect the training obtained. It used to reflect years of service, but now it reflects the training that they have, the certificates that they have to have for different levels.
“Your pay level changes depending on what level you are, so that has been changed.”
The policy also includes a new definition of deputy chief of training: “Assists the fire chief with decision and operations of the department, with the main focus being training portfolios. They hold all the responsibility and authority of the fire chief in their absence, take command of calls as needed, and oversees the hiring process.”
There is also a new definition of probational firefighter: “A number member of the Carstairs Fire Department with restrictions of not being allowed to go on a roof of a building, nor to make entry on a working fire, and cannot drive with lights and sirens activated.”
The updated policy includes an updated remuneration structure schedule, which includes hourly wages such as $27.45 for deputy chief, $27,45 for deputy chief of training, $25.34 for captain, $24.48 for lieutenant and $20.59 for level 5 firefighter.
The updated policy now states that, “To stay an active member (of the department), a minimum of 20 per cent of all emergency responses must be attended. In the event a member does not make the minimum they will have a meeting to discuss their attendance awareness and will be given a letter of expectation to meet these requirements. This will be on a case-by-case basis.”
The Carstairs Fire Department recently received an $11,505 provincial grant to help with firefighter training, council heard.
“Thank you for your important work and dedication to the safety of individuals in your community,” Minister of Municipal Affairs Rebecca Schulz said in announcing the successful grant application.
All council members attended the March 27 council meeting.
