St. Albert Fire Services could soon be responsible for fire protection services at a commercial enterprise located southwest of the city.
Council voted 6-1 Monday night to authorize administration to enter into a fire services contract with the as-yet-unnamed client. Administration first came forward with the proposal last year, which council voted to pursue.
While few details have been disclosed to date, the Gazette has learned the private company, which has only been described in public documents as located “outside the city’s boundaries,” is located on the lands of the Enoch Cree Nation, southwest of St. Albert. The Gazette has also learned that while acting manager Chris Jardine referred to the business Monday as an “industrial client,” it is more of a commercial enterprise.
Fire Chief Ray Richards told council lawyers on both sides have reviewed a copy of the contract. With council’s approval Monday, the client has only to deal with details relating to insurance and a fire prevention bylaw before they can sign. Once that happens, the city will announce the name of the client.
“We are either days or just a couple of weeks away,” Richards told council.
While no numbers have been revealed, the client would pay the city for one four-person engine company and one three-person aerial company to respond to any alarms. As a result, the city will hire six new firefighters and promote four members to the rank of lieutenant. The city will not have to pay for any new vehicles. The contract will also provide extra revenue for the city.
The first contract will be five years in duration, with potential renewal for as long as 20 years, though Richards said that would likely take place in five-year increments.
According to an administration report, the client has averaged only six calls over the last “several years,” all of which have been false fire alarms. Mayor Nolan Crouse said the cost for any false alarm should be high.
“Personally, when it says six false alarms, my input would be the cost of a false alarm be substantial per call,” he said.
Administration also noted that, even if the two teams were called away to the client for an incident, the city would still have two full-staffed fire stations ready for any local incidents.
But not all councillors were enamoured with the proposal. Coun. Roger Lemieux, the only member of council to vote against the contract, said he worries about the possibility that this arrangement could someday lead to a local casualty.
“If there was a casualty where we have a severe accident at an intersection and a fire at an apartment building and a fire truck out at the client, I, in my own judgment, don’t think that’s right,” Lemieux said.
Lemieux also said he believes the client has only contacted St. Albert because it can’t get insurance without a fire services agreement.
“The only reason they are asking is they can’t get insurance. They need fire protection and we’ve come to their beck and call. I don’t agree with that and I never will.”
