DIDSBURY - Members of the Didsbury Fire Department responded to a total of 281 calls in 2023, including 65 for motor vehicle collisions, according to chief administrative officer report presented at the Jan. 9 meeting.
Of the 281 calls, 125 were in town, 129 were in the surrounding county area, 21 were for mutual aid calls in the rural area, and six were for mutual aid in town.
Members responded to 70 alarms calls, 53 EMS assist calls, 27 mutual aid calls, 10 structure fire calls, eight vehicle fire calls, and 16 wildfire calls.
The report also included community peace officer statistics, with officers responding to a total of 552 calls in 2023, down from 593 in 2022 and up from 383 in 2021.
Of the total calls last year, 252 were for traffic, 98 for animal control in town, 52 for animal control outside town, 87 for community standards, 13 for other bylaws, 45 for investigations and patrols, and nine for citizen concerns.
Of officer reports made, 93 were conclude, 163 lead to verbal warning, 107 to written warning, 13 were forwarded to another agency, 11 are still under investigation, and 25 were unsolved.
Of incidents reported, 198 were officer observed, 35 were by email, and 100 were by phone.
2023 development stats released
The 2023 year end statistical development report outlines permit information for principal dwelling units, accessory buildings, commercial retail units and other development.
Six principal dwelling unit permits were issued with total construction value of $1.65 million.
A total of 39 permits were issued for garages, sheds, decks, additions, demolitions and secondary suites, with total value of $3.31 million. Thirty one permits were issued in 2022 totalling $930,000.
Nineteen permits were issued for garages/sheds, four for additions, 13 for decks, two for demolition, and three for secondary suites.
Four permits were issued for commercial retail units with total value of $1.47 million. Four permits were issued in 2024, with total value of $3.66 million.
There were two subdivision appeals in 2023, up from one in 2022.
The Didsbury economic development report for 2023 outlined 12 highlights, including the following:
• Mountain View Regional Film officer launched its website.
• Town of Didsbury responded to various interview opportunities related to the film office, including from CBC radio, CTV, AB Prime Times, and local media.
• The Town of Didsbury received two awards from Economic Developers of Alberta.
• Council approved the Town of Didsbury economic strategy for 2023-25.
• Mountain View Regional Film partners received two national awards: one for regional video and one for community collaboration.
• There was an increase in commercial activities and overall added 73 new businesses in 2023.
• The Town of Didsbury received approval to be inched in the rural renewal stream program.
Council received the CAO report as information.
