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Preamble:
WHEREAS fire departments in Alberta play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of communities by providing vital fire protection and emergency response services; and
WHEREAS fire apparatus (fire trucks, engines, and other firefighting vehicles) are essential tools for first responders, but have a finite operational lifespan; and
WHEREAS as fire apparatus reach the end of their service life, the risk of failure and inadequate response increases, compromising the safety of Albertans; and
WHEREAS many municipalities and rural communities across Alberta face significant financial challenges when it comes to replacing aging fire apparatus, often relying on limited budgets that cannot keep up with the rising costs of purchasing new equipment; and
WHEREAS maintaining a modern and fully operational fire apparatus fleet is essential for ensuring the readiness of fire services to respond to fires, medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, and other disasters that may occur in the province; and
WHEREAS the Government of Alberta has a long-standing commitment to supporting public safety and emergency preparedness throughout the province.
Operative Clause:
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta advocate to the Government of Alberta (GOA) to work with municipalities, fire departments, and industry stakeholders to establish a provincial funding program to assist municipalities and rural communities in replacing fire apparatus once they reach the end of their operational life;
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT that the program include criteria to prioritize funding for high-risk and underserved areas, ensuring that communities most in need of fire apparatus replacement receive support in a timely manner;
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT that the program provide options for municipalities to access both direct grants and low-interest loans to help with the financial burden of replacing essential firefighting equipment;
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT that the program offer technical and logistical support to municipalities to ensure that fire departments can effectively evaluate, purchase, and implement replacement apparatus in a cost-efficient and sustainable manner;
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT that the GOA review and monitor the effectiveness of the program regularly, ensuring that it remains responsive to the evolving needs of Alberta’s fire services and continues to enhance the safety and well-being of all residents;
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT that the GOA allocate a portion of the budget each fiscal year for this initiative, ensuring consistent and ongoing support for fire apparatus replacement across the province.
Member Background:
To assist municipalities and rural communities in replacing fire apparatus that have reached the end of their operational life (20-30 years), this resolution calls for the implementation of a program that will:
This resolution recognizes the unique needs of rural municipalities and the strain that current policies and financial burdens place on essential public safety infrastructure. Supporting this resolution aligns with broader efforts to ensure adequate fire protection and safety in rural Alberta, which may lead to long-term financial benefits through effective resource allocation and cost-efficiency improvements. When an apparatus is past its expiration date, it may set the municipality into an “unprotected” status according to the Fire Underwriters Survey (FUS), potentially increasing every resident’s insurance rates significantly. Fulfilling the requests of this resolution will support the efforts of rural municipalities in addressing the financial and operational challenges related to fire apparatuses. It will help ensure that fire departments can maintain an effective fleet without compromising safety or financial stability, benefiting both public safety and community well-being.
The federal Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP), which was established in 1980 and ended in 2015, provided funding to enhance the national capacity to respond to all types of emergencies and to enhance resiliency of critical infrastructure. Several other provinces offer funding for emergency equipment and vehicles. An example currently exists in Newfoundland and Labrador:
(Jan. 2025, Newfoundland and Labrador — Applications are now being accepted for Newfoundland and Labrador’s 2025-26 Fire Protection Vehicle and Equipment Funding Programs for municipalities and local service districts (LSD) across the province.
RMA Background:
7-23F: Strategy for Management of Wildland Fires Outside Forest Protection Area
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) engage with the Government of Alberta (GOA), Alberta Municipalities (ABmunis), and the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association (AFCA) to develop a long-term strategy for the resourcing and management of wildland fire events outside the Forest Protection Area (FPA); and
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the RMA collaborate with ABmunis, the AFCA, and the GOA to establish a working group consisting of municipal and provincial subject matter experts, elected officials, and senior municipal administrators to develop a long-term strategy for wildfire management outside the FPA; and
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT the RMA advocate that the GOA allocate additional funding to train more rotary wing pilots in bucketing and strategically place these bucketing resources inside and outside the FPA.
Click here to view the full resolution.
1-24S: Declining Fire Department Services Across Rural Alberta
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Rural Municipalities of Alberta advocate to the Government of Alberta to collaborate with the Government of Canada and Fire Underwriters Survey to assist municipalities to retain fire services by recruiting firefighters and addressing the declining fire department services across rural Alberta.
Click here to view the full resolution.
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