SUNDRE — The local fire department remains operational and an acting chief has been appointed, but not yet named.
Council was told on Friday, Aug. 21 during a special meeting that cooperation and support is in place for the municipality’s administration to work with the local fire department.
Following an in-camera session of a teleconferenced meeting that lasted from 6:30 to about 9 p.m., council resumed an open meeting to the public.
“Council heard tonight that the cooperation and support is in place for administration to work with the fire department,” said Coun. Richard Warnock.
“We also were informed that the fire department is meeting tonight as well, and we are waiting to hear from them to start working together to move this forward,” said Warnock.
“Therefore I move, that administration gather the information and their requests from the fire department, and bring these to council on Monday night (Aug. 24) to ensure there is an effective and functional fire department.”
The motion carried unanimously, and the meeting adjourned afterwards at 9:04 p.m.
At about the same time, the remaining members of the Sundre Fire Department issued a collective statement to The Albertan.
“We currently have 12 responding members, have appointed an acting chief and have a fully operational department,” the statement reads, pointing out the acting chief will be announced at a later date.
“We also have numerous commitments from community members with extensive industry experience who are willing to come help us,” it continues, before concluding with, “We are excited to continue to serve our community.”
These latest developments follow up after news broke earlier this week that former Chief Marty Butts had departed from the position, prompting community backlash with many people demanding he be reinstated, which local officials have already said is not an option that's on the table.
