Concerns were raised on April 28 at the Beiseker Spring townhall meeting regarding emergency services. The main concern was regarding the northeast part of the village and who should respond first – Beiseker or Rocky View County fire services.
“Our volunteer fire department is very capable of responding to any emergencies,” Beiseker Mayor Ray Courtman said.
“Right now the Rocky View Fire Department has to respond when we’re not called out to those areas.”
Currently Irricana’s Fire Service responds to some of the emergencies in Beiseker while Rocky View Fire Services responds to others. Stations as far away as Bearspaw can respond to Beiseker, if other Rocky View fire departments are busy.
Courtman suggested that an arrangement could be made between the County and Village to ensure the Beiseker department would be the first responders for the area. He proposed if the emergency was severe enough, the County fire services could take over from the Beiseker fire department.
Courtman said his concern is for residences that are located just outside the village such as Richter Farms LTD, which is northeast of Beiseker.
This farming operation is covered by Rocky View County Fire Services, not the much closer Beiseker Fire Department.
“According to existing policies, we couldn’t respond,” Courtman said. “Common sense says we probably would, but we want to get this cleared up.”
Beiseker council will meet with Rocky View County council on May 29 to discuss Courtman’s concerns.
Ambulance Service
Ambulance services were also discussed during the meeting. Courtman said response times are usually acceptable and the overall service has been fine.
“Ambulances are dispatched throughout the province,” Courtman said.
“We may get an ambulance from a closer location, but it depends on how busy there are.”
Courtman did mention that if the emergency was severe enough, STARS Air Ambulance would attend.
Sign removed
It was also brought to the council’s attention that a sign had been placed in the Beiseker campground that read “No pit bulls allowed.”
The council decided to remove the sign, as there are no bylaws that ban the dog breed.
