Prince Albert firefighters take part in a training exercise in Midtown. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Budget 2021

Council approves $7.7 million budget for fire department

Jan 11, 2021 | 4:17 PM

Prince Albert city council has approved a $7,691,380 operating budget for the fire department for the next year, a $109,520 increase from 2020.

Speaking to paNOW after budget deliberations Wednesday, Chief Kris Olsen said the budget maintains the status quo in the department, with slight wage increases under the collective bargaining agreement and small lifts when it comes to training and equipment.

A motion to add funding for an additional firefighter to the budget, at a cost of $83,630, was defeated 6-3.

Olsen explained the new hire would have brought another platoon up to 12 firefighters, allowing trucks to consistently be staffed with four people, the national recommendation for fire engines. Currently one of four platoons at the hall has 12 members, the other three have 11, Olsen said.

When asked if he was disappointed to see the motion fail, Olsen said he understands the City has to look out for the bottom line and balance other budgetary constraints.

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“We’ll continue to fight fires, we’ll continue to protect the citizens of Prince Albert and we’ll continue to do our job,” he said.

Saving for a second hall

Meanwhile planning for a second fire hall could be on the table when councillors continue budget deliberations Tuesday evening.

In a report submitted to council, Olsen recommends the city create a reserve fund for the potential new facility and put $500,000 into it annually.

“I think it’s just the prudent thing to do, to put some money in the piggy bank, so to speak, and offset the borrowing costs in the future,” Olsen said.

Olsen explained council asked him to put together the report based on a presentation given to the city’s elected official by the Prince Albert Fire Fighters Association in September.

The union has told council two new fire halls, one on either side of the city, are needed to bring response times in line with national standards.

The budget is not final until it’s passed at a regular city council meeting.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom