WHEREAS the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Program as it relates to emergency vehicles was amended September 1, 2004 to 11,794 kilograms from 18,000 kilograms now requiring most fire trucks to have annual inspections; AND WHEREAS the inspection can only be done in a licensed facility requiring fire trucks be taken out of service while the inspection is being done; and AND WHEREAS fire trucks generally put on few kilometres; andAND WHEREAS the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association is negotiating an agreement with Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation for the issuance of permits to extend the inspection period up to 3 years under certain conditions.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the AAMDC support the initiative of the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association with Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation to permit vehicle inspection extensions to 3 years for emergency vehicles.

On September 1, 2004 the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Program (CVIP) reduced the weights from 18,000 kilograms to 11.794 kilograms including emergency vehicles.At the Fall 2004 Convention, resolution 28-04F sponsored by the M.D. of Willow Creek was approved by the AAMDC only to have the Province reject it.Fire trucks do not normally have a lot of mileage and Willow Creek requested an extension for emergency vehicles to 5,000 kilometres or 36 months.The Alberta Fire Chiefs Association has now negotiated a compromise to allow permitting under conditions for up to three years with an operating agreement establishing minimum record keeping, maintenance and safety programs. For sake of compromise we endorse this initiative.

Resolution 28-04F calls for the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Program to be modified to allow for a commercial vehicle inspection to be completed on emergency vehicles after 5,000 kilometres or 36 months, whichever comes first.The provincial government responded that the issue identified by this resolution is one of public safety; emergency vehicles not only must be safe to operate, but municipalities must be able to demonstrate that they are safe to operate.A Commercial Vehicle Inspection Program (CVIP) inspection is a ‘once a year’ complete mechanical inspection of a commercial vehicle performed in a licensed inspection facility, by a licensed and certified technician. Alberta’s CVIP uses Canada’s National Safety Code inspection criteria and requires safety related vehicle systems to be partially disassembled for inspection. Since 1986, Alberta’s Commercial Vehicle Inspection Regulation has applied to emergency vehicles, requiring those registered for more than 18,000 kilograms (and since September 1, 2004, 11,794 kilograms) to have an annual CVIP inspection regardless of their level or frequency of use.Alberta’s commercial vehicle legislation makes municipalities legally responsible to ensure that emergency vehicles are maintained in safe operating condition whenever they are on a roadway in Alberta. A CVIP inspection is a part of an effective maintenance plan. It is designed not to duplicate or interfere with a municipality’s regular maintenance schedule. A cornerstone of the CVIP has always been the requirement for vehicles to be inspected in a licensed facility. CVIP inspection facilities are required to have and maintain shop equipment generally not found in a fire hall.In addition, the Commercial Vehicle Maintenance Standards Regulation, Alberta Regulation 118/89, requires municipalities operating emergency vehicles to perform daily pre- and post-trip inspections (section 3) and have an effective maintenance plan (section 5).Alberta’s commercial vehicle safety legislation applies equally to all commercial vehicles operating on Alberta’s roadways. Emergency vehicles must be safe to operate, and municipalities must be able to demonstrate that they are safe to operate. Since this issue is one of public safety, the department is not considering modifying CVIP requirements to allow emergency vehicles to be inspected only after 5,000 kilometres or 36 months, whichever comes first.

Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation in consultation with the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association have developed the Municipal Firefighting Vehicle Permit to comply with the Traffic Safety Act. Registered Owners of municipal firefighting vehicles can apply for this permit for exemptions from any or all of the following three regulatory requirements: annual vehicle inspections; location of records; annual drivers’ abstracts.