Extra funds going to CFD uniforms

Posted on December 12, 2024 by Sunny South News

By Nikki Jamieson
Sunny South News

Unexpected funds from assisting during the Jasper wildfire event will go to new laundry appliances, uniforms, and gear for Coalhurst’s fire department.

During their regular Nov. 19 meeting, Coalhurst Town council discussed a funding decision for the town’s fire department.

Due to the Coalhurst Fire Department providing support for the Jasper wildfire event between July 22 and Sept. 7, 2024, the town has received, after fuel costs, $36,328.72 in unanticipated revenue through the Alberta Emergency Management Agency Wildland Urban Interface Program.

The Town of Coalhurst had provided support for the wildfire event by sending CFD’s new Wildland Fire Truck along with six firefighters to help with structure protection and provide wildland-urban interface fire fighting over the course of 14 days. The town’s Command Unit 2 was also used to transfer crews between Coalhurst and Jasper. 

It is being proposed to use the funds to purchase a new washer and dryer ($4,000) for the department, along with and new uniforms/turn out gear ($32,000), the latter which will consist of:

• New two-piece coveralls costing about $260 per set, or$5,720 for 22 people

• Station/wildland boots at about $500 per pair, or $11,000 for 22 people

• Station Wear Shirt and Pants at about $250 per set, or $5,500 for 22 people

• Dress uniforms for junior members, forge cap, badge and dress shirt at about $180 per member, or $3,960 for 22 people

• Tunic and dress shirt for members with 5+ years of service, at about $700 per member, or $2,800 for 4 people

There may be additional costs for the uniforms, including tailoring fees for patches, regalia pins, and shoulder flashes. Some item costs may be lower than expected, depending on cost factors like brand, style, supplier, and volume discounts. Any remaining funds could go towards regular yearly gear purchases, such as gloves, glasses, and balaclavas.

When asked what the practice for these types of funds has been like in the past, Coalhurst fire chief Mitch Sorsdahl said that while there hasn’t been a substantial source of income come through in the last few years, there have been some mutual aid call that resulted in a few thousand dollars.

“Basically, it just goes back in with revenue, and at the end of the day, and at the end of the (fiscal year), it just goes into reserves,” said Sorsdahl. “This is the first time we’ve had any sizeable source of revenue come in – asides from last year’s (deployments) and that went straight into reserves, and we used that early on budget year, next year with our radio upgrades.”

When asked if there was an item in budget deliberations for uniforms, Sorsdahl said there was, but with this money, they would be able to outfit the entire department in “one fell swoop” instead of doing it a few pieces at a time, gradually phasing it in.

When asked about costs associated with truck maintenance during that time, Sorsdahl said any maintenance during that time when the trucks were up in the Jasper area was covered by Alberta Emergency Management Agency Wildland Urban Interface Program

“So had we broken down on site, they would have had a tech come and repair and replace it. If we came back and did an overhaul on the truck and found anything wrong, we can bill for that as well.”

As the department only had the truck for about one and a half months before it went to Jasper, it didn’t experience much wear and tear before hand. There was a pump failure on one of the lines, but the tech on scene was able to provide a prompt fix for it. 

“I think that it’s very important that our fire department do have the gear not only that they’re required to keep them safe, but also to keep moral,” said coun. Heather Caldwell. “I know they just do exceptional work, and if it increases pride in the work they do, I think that has tremendous value as well.”

Council passed a motion to direct the expenditure of up to $36,328.72 be utilized for the purchase of a new washer and dryer and new uniforms and turn out gear for the Coalhurst Volunteer Fire Department, with funds coming from the unanticipated revenue received from supporting fire fighting efforts in the Municipality of Jasper in summer 2024, and further, that any unused portion in 2024 be placed into the Fire Department Reserve for use in 2025.