Mountain View County officials are continuing work this week on reaching new fire agreements with the municipalities in the region.
"We has signed the agreements with Didsbury and Carstairs and we are still negotiating with Sundre and Olds,î said Jeff Holmes, MVC director of legislative services.
One of the big changes contained in the new agreements is a clause stating that in the event that a new fire facility is required in a municipality the county will be engaged as a participant at the start of the process, he said.
MVC council will consider building a joint fire hall, rather than paying for bay rentals, which was the model in the previous agreement, he noted.
"So in the Didsbury case, Didsbury is interested in building a new fire hall in a couple years, and so that's something that we'll be putting in front of MVC council probably (this) week to get their endorsement to solidify our partnership moving forward,î he said.
Cremona recently issued a letter giving one year's notice that they would no longer take part in the fire protection agreement, he added, noting that the one-year notice is part of the previous agreement.
"So essentially that means both (Cremona and MVC) have a year to either come to an agreement on a new agreement or to make provisions for providing fire services to our residents independently,î he said.
The agreements are in place to offer joint fire services through municipally-owned fire halls, with the county compensating the towns ñ through capital support - for the use of their fire services, he explained.
Holmes indicated he will be meeting with interim Cremona CAO Terry Lofstrom soon to discuss the decision at length, as well as Cremona's plans moving forward.
"And of course we'll also have discussions with the fire chief out there and the fire department for their recommendations for providing service to our residents,î said Holmes.
The only decision made at this point is that Cremona's old agreement will expire next year in Jan., he said, noting that MVC representatives will continue discussions with Cremona representatives "Öto discuss what's in the mutual interest of both municipalities as far as fire protection, and whether we can come to an agreement on joint services or if each municipality will be looking at their own provisional services.
"Essentially our message to residents is that the county - with the notice of termination from Cremona, it's the county's priority to ensure our residents receive the same level of uninterrupted fire protection and so that's our goal, to continue to provide uninterrupted service to our residents.î
He added that the county currently pays for about 80 per cent of the Water Valley fire hall, and that using those services in lieu of Cremona's may be an option for the county.
