Mountain View County councillors have defeated a motion calling for amendments to the 20-year fire capital plan to include a second rapid attack vehicle or wild land unit for the Cremona-Water Valley fire department.
The motion was put forward by deputy reeve Patricia McKean at the March 26 council meeting.
McKean voted for the motion, with reeve Bruce Beattie and councillors Jeremy Sayer, Duncan Milne, Ken Heck and Al Kemmere voting against.
The second vehicle would have been stationed at the Water Valley station. Wild land unit vehicles are specially designed and equipped to respond to fire situations such as grass fires and fires at residences surrounded by forest or brush.
Coun. McKean said having the second vehicle would best serve the residents of the area.
Coun. Milne said other departments operate with only one wild land unit and Cremona can do the same.
“I don’t support a second one,” said Milne.
Coun. Kemmere said he believes that one wild land unit for both stations would suffice.
In a letter to council, Cremona and District Fire Chief John Newbery said having a second vehicle at the Water Valley station would be the best way to protect people and property in the district.
“Cremona is in a unique position within the county in that we operate two fire stations separated by many miles,” said Newbery. “This fact makes responses more challenging at times in part due to the reality that the majority of our fire fighters do not live in town and are spread completely across our response area.
“I believe that having wild land units of the style that we have identified located in each of our halls is the best way to offer protection for our citizens along with ease of response and utilization of manpower.”
Changes in the make up of the Cremona-Water Valley area in terms of population, building type and density in recent years contributes to the need for two units, he said.
“We have seen a significant changes in the use of our rural areas first in population numbers and second in the type, location and quantity of residential homes and buildings in the interface area let alone in the more traditional farm areas,” he said.
Coun. Angela Aalbers did not attend the March 26 council meeting.
