Mountain View County (MVC) council has approved the purchase of a replacement of the Sundre fire rescue trailer at a total cost of $33,433, with the county covering 80 per cent of the cost ($26,7456). The move came during the recent regularly scheduled council meeting.
The fire service agreement between MVC and the Town of Sundre outlines the replacement schedule for each piece of major capital equipment.
The fire rescue trailer is one such piece of equipment. The 27-foot unit is designated for backcountry rescue and is scheduled to be replaced in 2020.
However, a recent fire advisory committee meeting heard that the trailer is currently in a state where major repairs are required.
In a letter to council, Sundre fire Chief Marty Butts said the equipment should be replaced.
He said he is “concerned with the floor of the trailer as it is starting to show signs of wear and tear with the floor starting to fall in” and he feels the trailer will not withstand another year of service.
“Door seals are also starting to wear, filling the cabin with dust which compromises the rescue equipment within the trailer.”
Meanwhile, council has referred an equipment replacement request from the Carstairs fire department to the joint ICC committee for further information.
The Town of Carstairs is asking the county to fund 50 per cent of the cost of replacing a command vehicle involved in a recent collision on the QE II. The county’s portion would be $50,000.
“The Town of Carstairs/Carstairs fire department has requested quotes for the replacement of the command from two vendors,” administration said in a briefing note to council. “Upon review of the quotes, the chassis has been purchased from Carstairs Ford Sales and delivered to Commercial Emergency Equipment for the completion of the command.”
Coun. Greg Harris said the county would like to see further details of the proposal.
Also during the recent council meeting, Chris Atchison, director of legislative services, gave his monthly report to council. In the report, he said the county has partnered with Alberta Tourism for Open Farm Days workshops to offer a coaching program for participants in the 2019 Open Farm Days.
“This service is at no cost to the participant and the county,” he said. “The program is a process used to take a business from where it is now to where the business owner wants it to be.
“A business coach will assist and guide the owner in growing their agri-tourism business by helping them clarify the vision and goals of their business and how it fits in with their personal goals.”
