Coaldale modernizing 40 year old fire services bylaw

Posted on April 11, 2024 by Sunny South News

By Erika Mathieu
Sunny South News

Coaldale Council has approved first reading on a new Fire Service Bylaw, which is aimed to modernize the bylaw and ensure the policies and framework is in line with current best practices and standards of service. 

Council and administration have previously discussed creating a level of service document in addition to updating the The Fire Service Bylaw 148-AG-1-84, which was passed in 1984. Since the bylaw was adopted 40 years ago, many changes have taken place with respect to both legislation and operations with the fire service and across the profession broadly. 

Deputy Fire Chief Byron Fraser and manager of community policing presented for the Town of Coaldale during the April 2 council meeting.

As noted in the report to council, Fraser indicated the updates to the bylaw, “modernize the Fire Service Bylaw and ensure that CDES has the proper authority and direction to respond to emergencies and to implement mitigation strategies to prevent emergencies.” 

The report notes that the bylaw will also This bylaw will also improve upon and add procedural clarity with respect to “mutual aid and other types of events that CDES may be requested to attend outside of the service’s normal jurisdiction. 

The report also notes the Town’s Emergency Services Committee aided Town administration with the revisions and review of the updated presented bylaw throughout 2023.

Council passed a resolution to approve first reading of the Fire Service Bylaw as amended, which was passed unanimously by council. The bylaw will be presented for second and third reading at an upcoming council meeting.