County hopes for per-call fire help
Cypress council votes 5-4 to seek a deal with city to pay for fire assistance on an individual basis, with Dunmore crew first up
DUNMORE Cypress County will seek a fire service agreement with the City of Medicine Hat that charges on a per-call basis, giving a new Dunmore department the option of calling Hat crews for assistance, after councillors narrowly approved the plan on Tuesday.
A 5-4 vote will see administrators seek final terms for the option worked out by fire officials in each municipality, but after debate at county offices in Dunmore revolved around the new department’s ability to save homes with quick response.
“It’s being fair to all ratepayers, and if we need additional resources from the city, they’re there,” said Coun. Dustin Vossler.
He noted that all hamlets would be covered by county volunteer departments, with those closest to Medicine Hat also in range of city crews — a long-standing practice with a yearly contract.
An alternative to continue that practice for city response in Veinerville, Dunmore and Desert Blume, in various configurations, was also proposed for council’s approval.
That option was supported by four members, including Couns. Dan Hamilton (representing Dunmore), Reeve Richard Oster (Desert Blume), as well as Robin Kurpjuweit and Alf Belyea. Those four voted against the per-call payment option.
“The most important thing is ratepayers want to know that when they have a fire someone is going to come,” Oster said after the vote.
Kurpjeweit also said he would support the system but during debate said the issue is a huge concern for hamlet residents, who are concerned about response times of the new Dunmore department.
“I don’t believe ratepayers believe that we’re not there to save the house but defend the spread,” he said, adding if better service is available for a reasonable cost, the county should consider it, “especially in higher density areas.”
Several other councillors argued a set full-year fee (similar to the current contract) would be preferable for cost certainty.
Kurpjeweit said if the Medicine Hat department can cover the close hamlets, then county resources could improve fire response for rural areas further out.
Some councillors noted the investment already made, and said county crews were the answer.
“If we go with a blanket (full-year) option, why do we have the Dunmore department,” asked Coun. Darcy Giegle. “Why is it in existence?”
That department could be operating this year, officials say.
Financial terms of respective options were not revealed until after the vote, but Vossler stated the per-call option would only become more expensive in total calls increased during the year.
Since the soon-to-be operating Dunmore station could take up half the 56 calls for service received each year, the cost would be much less.
“Essentially, it’s down to dollars and cents,” said Vossler, a volunteer firefighter and a proponent of the Dunmore station proposed last year.
“The only difference is the city (department) would not be the first call. It (would be) the county (department) backed up by the city. (Currently), it’s the city backed up by county crews.”
Under the plan, emergency calls from areas nearest city limits will first go to Dunmore.
Fire officials there will then muster crews and equipment and determine whether to also call in Medicine Hat crews to respond either to provide initial response or assist the Dunmore department.
The area covers the Hamlets and most areas south of Medicine Hat.
On the west side, the volunteer department from Seven Persons would handle calls from about Range Road 70 westward, but boundaries are still to be determined.