With the regional fire model dissolving, the Town of Stettler intends to purchase the County’s stake in Station 1 in Stettler.
Town administration noted during their July 22 meeting that an appraisal has been commissioned to assist with negotiations between the two municipalities.
A financial review in 2023 found ownership at 74 per cent for the Town and 26 per cent for the County, based on their capital contributions of $1.77 million and $623,000.
A revised 2025 budget presented to council shows a cost savings of just over $41,000 ($41,051) this year, before the purchase of the County’s stake is taken into account.
With the County relocating its equipment to its own fire hall, the Town will no longer need to expand Station 1 to house a replacement engine, resulting in anticipated savings of $70,000 in 2026 and $1.2 million in 2027.
Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment
Town administration noted they will also need to ensure adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) is available, including bunker gear, helmets, coveralls, boots, gloves and underlayers.
Once they determine how much gear is required, the council will be presented with options in the coming weeks.
Station 1 currently holds 60 full sets of gear, with 49 sets assigned to active members, and 11 sets in storage for new recruits.
A full set of fire gear costs about $6,929.25, with helmets priced at $549.14 plus badging.
Rescue 14 and Joint Fire Equipment Asset Review
The Rescue 14 unit remains one of the major jointly owned assets under review. Up until 2024, the Town and County shared net revenues from the rescue unit and placed surplus funds into a reserve account. As of Dec. 31, 2024, the Rescue 14 reserve fund stands at $302,461.36.
The Town is also considering whether its next engine purchase can be designed to serve both engine & heavy rescue functions.
If so, this would eliminate the need to replace Rescue 14 in 2031, saving approximately $1.28 million based on 2025 pricing.
The Town & County’s interim transition committee has already reviewed larger assets such as Rescue 14 and Squad 1, with discussions ongoing regarding the remaining equipment.
New Fire Service Policies Amid Transition To Town Fire Department
The Town of Stettler is moving forward with new fire service policies as part of its ongoing fire transition plan.
The first establishes the operational parameters for the Town’s Fire Department, and also sets out standard operating guidelines on expectations for firefighters.
The fire service fees policy has also been updated to outline the billing process for fire related services.
Finally, the administration has also drafted a new hydrant operation policy, as the Town will no longer oversee training for all hydrant users.
It was noted that improperly opened or closed hydrants can cause sudden pressure surges that can damage water lines.
Author: Landin Chambers
Landin Chambers is a news reporter for Hometown Media Stettler. He has a background in broadcast news, with previous roles in Prince George, Red Deer and Calgary. You may also see him as a cameraman for the Stettler Wildcats and Stettler Imperials. Have a story idea? Email: lchambers@htproductionsmedia.ca
