No Water From Beiseker?

A couple of you mentioned to me that you were concerned that the Rocky View Fire Services was recently refused water to fight a fire outside the village.  Last night at our council meeting, we got the whole story from our fire department.

A while back our firefighters and the Rocky View Fire Services responded to a fire east of the village.  The Beiseker Fire Department arrived at the scene first (they were closer) and started work on the fire.  The RVFS soon arrived from Irricana, took over command and joined in fighting the fire.  It was decided that more water might be needed, so water trucks were dispatched to the closest water source which was Beiseker.

Standard Operating Procedures dictates that the municipality providing the water be informed so that adjustments can be made to the pumps and pumping capacity of that municipality's water system if necessary.  Beiseker has one of its pumps in for repair.  Caution must be taken so the people of the village don't completely lose water pressure.

Due a communication glitch, the Rocky View firefighters were unable to contact village staff so they decided to proceed to Irricana to get the extra water.  As it turned out, the extra water was not needed and the water trucks stood down and returned to their fire hall in Irricana.

Beiseker Fire Chief Martens reported to council that the communication glitch has indeed been rectified.  Fire apparatus fighting fires in this area (whether inside or outside the village) are once again able to get water from our hydrants here in the village.  There is also another source of water in Beiseker, the old reservoir behind the post office which has well water and it is untreated.  Unfortunately the pumping capacity there is quite low and filling up one of those huge tanks would take a very long time!

I hope this clears up some of the misunderstandings around this incident.

I'll take this opportunity to give shout-out to all of our firefighters both from the Beiseker Fire Department and from Rocky View.  You folks do an incredible job protecting all of us!

Beiseker Fire Department Receives new (to us) Water Truck!

Yesterday. I had the privilege of visiting the Rocky View Fire Department fire hall in Balzac, where Fire Chief Ursu and I were presented with the keys to our new tanker/tender truck.

Actually, it's not new.  Rocky View County was able to upgrade some of its older fire fighting equipment and this truck was declared surplus.  It still has years of service left in it, so the County offered it to our incredible volunteer fire department here in Beiseker.

Beiseker itself is serviced by a network of fire hydrants, but when our firefighters tend to a fire outside the village, they'll now be able to haul more than 10 000 litres of water with them.  This will be particularly good for highway responses and grass fires.

Thank you so much Rocky View County! Good on ya!

Bassano Station Burns

In the early morning hours of Friday, September 18,  I awoke to a commotion on First Ave. behind my home.  The Beiseker Fire Department had quickly responded to a fire at the old Bassano Station building. 

They called in help from Rocky View County's Fire Services and successfully fought the fire.  Most of the south end of the vacant station building was destroyed, but the fire was stopped before it consumed the entire structure or spread to neighboring businesses or residents! 

I thought our volunteer fire department did an amazing job of extinguishing that fire in a tinder dry building with no fire suppression at all!  Once again I say, "Good on ya Beiseker Fire Department!  Well done!  We're proud of you."   The cause of the fire is now under investigation.

Once again I also reiterate that the Village of Beiseker has nothing to do with the Centennial Railway Museum nor the Bassano Station, except that it is located in our village - but many of us on Village Council have been urging the museum folks to get the project moving again. 

A significant amount of Federal tax dollars (I understand that it is more than $400,000)  has been spent on this project so far!  Now we on Village Council would like to meet in person with the executive of the museum to find out what their plans are from here.  I'll let you know what we find out, when we find out.

A Fantastic Country Fair!

The weather turned out perfect for Beiseker's 96th edition of its Lions Club Country Fair!  The fun started with a fantastic morning breakfast at the community centre and continued all day. 

I thought the parade was a little sparse of decorations but those who participated were definitely enthusiastic! 

I was disappointed that I didn't see Rocky View Fire Services in the parade, but our Beiseker Fire Department was joined by the folks of the Kneehill Fire Department from Acme, in their firetruck.  I met a few of them at breakfast and welcomed them to Beiseker.

The Color Me Beiseker Run was FANTASTIC, especially for the young people there.  Our MLA (and former Beiseker Mayor) the Honourable Bruce Rowe and his wife Carol actually ran in the colour run!  Everyone was having fun.  It was great to see.

I didn't see much of the 4H Show & Sale but I understand it was a huge success.  Some of the other scheduled events didn't have as large a turn-out as I expected, but those who were there had a great day!  Chris Heighton's tenth annual Show & Shine on Main Street was awesome!  I think the early morning clouds and rain kept some car guys at home with their mechanical babies, but they missed a wonderful day.

Overall I thought this year's Beiseker Lions Country Fair was one of the best ever!  Thank you to everyone who made that day possible. You rock!

(Here's a request from me;  If anyone got a photo of myself and my little dog Duggie in the parade, I'd love to put it here and on my facebook page.)

Fire Services Agreement with County

This afternoon, I signed an agreement between Rocky View County and the Village of Beiseker to mutually cooperate to provide fire protection to the area in and around our village!  Now the documents are on their way to County Council to be signed, there. 

This mutual aid agreement will ensure that the folks living in and around Beiseker (especially those to the northeast) will receive the best fire protection possible.  Rocky View Fire Services will now be able to help the Beiseker Fire Department - and vice versa - when required!

Congratulations to Rocky View Fire Chief Smith and Beiseker Fire Chief Ursu on their success in creating this agreement.  You have made history in this part of the county.

I am very proud of our volunteer firefighters here in Beiseker.  They exemplify our village values in neighbours helping neighbours.  Now they will be able to help even more neighbours! 

This weekend I hope that Rocky View Fire Services will be able to participate with our Fire Department in our annual Country Fair Parade.  If you see them rolling by, give them an extra loud cheer like you gave our firefighters when they went by!

Wanted: New Pumper Truck

A couple of posts back, I mentioned that negotiations between our village and Rocky View County over the amalgamation of our two fire departments had ceased.

Village Council determined that it would not be in Beiseker's best interest to continue those discussions at this time.  I am confident that an agreement will be reached in the future, and there will again be a Regional Fire Department created in this area.

But, right now, Beiseker must upgrade its equipment to meet provincial standards.  Our fire fighters have completed all the provincial courses to be certified as well-trained firefighters.  Now, we need a new fire truck for them to operate.

Our current pumper truck was purchased about ten years ago, to replace an even older truck purchased when Beiseker split off from the North East Rocky View Fire Association.

A new truck would accomplish a number of things;

• A large enclosed cab would  permit more than just two  firefighters to ride in the truck.  Regulations now prohibit firefighters from riding in or on open areas on vehicles.
•  A certified unit would be able to attend emergencies outside the village
• Our current truck operates well, but a crack in the pumping mechanism makes it unable to be certified.  The cost of repairing it would be prohibitive.
• With a new pumper truck, we will be able to approach Rocky View County to hammer out a mutual aid agreement.  This will enable us to respond to emergencies outside the village, especially to the North East of Beiseker.
• I think a new truck would encourage more folks to join our volunteer fire department. 
•  Our pumper truck was built in the late 1970s and desperately needs to be replaced 

Over the next couple of weeks, the village and the fire department will be canvassing everyone to contribute to the purchase of a newer used fire truck!  We will be approaching everyone, including our corporate citizens, our service clubs, other groups and individuals.

The Royal Canadian Legion's Acme Branch has already stepped up, and made a donation. 

Watch for more news on our plans to raise money for this very crucial project.

Fire Department Impasse

Negotiations between the Village of Beiseker and Rocky View County to amalgamate their two fire departments have reached an impasse.  At our village council's last regular meeting, I made a motion to cease fire department amalgamation negotiations with the county.  My motion was passed unanimously.

Both council and I hope that negotiations can resume in the future.

Right now, the village would have benefitted very little from the proposed agreement - but its cost would have really hurt the village coffers!  As the proposed agreement read, Beiseker would still have to provide a fire hall, vehicles and equipment at its own expense; plus, pay the County a hefty fee to operate the facility and train new volunteers.

We agreed that this was just too expensive for our little village!

Where do we go from here?  We (the village and our Fire Department) are putting together a plan to upgrade our old pumper truck with a newer one.  We will also discuss the possibility of a mutual aid agreement with Rocky View.

At present, any emergency situation which occurs to the northeast of Beiseker would be attended by Rocky View firefighters from Irricana and/or Balzac.  We believe that time delay could pose a serious problem.

I'll keep you updated in this space, as things progress.

A Terrible Loss at the Hixt Farm

Condolences go to Larry and Ruth Hixt after a fire destroyed much of their private museum and historical village east of Beiseker.   The Hixts have spent a lifetime recreating the early years of Beiseker through buildings and artifacts built and collected from the area.  Visitors marvelled at the little historical village set up at the Hixt farm. Some even compared it favourably to Calgary's Heritage Park! 

I haven't been out to the Hixt's for a few years, but from all accounts Larry and Ruth have never stopped collecting and building!  The "Ranche" has become one of those iconic parts of this area.

Lightning appears to be the culprit in starting the fire. The Hixts could do little to fight the blaze while they waited for Rocky View County firefighters.

What's next?  I say it's too early to say.  Larry is asking for help in the clean-up and assessment - if you want to help, please call (403) 947-2143.  We'll see where it goes from there.  But I for one hope that Ruth and Larry's incredible project survives in some way to delight future visitors!

Council Debate

Last Monday night we had a very interesting Beiseker Village Council meeting!  A delegation had asked to address council regarding issues with the Beiseker Fire Department (BFD).  Their presentation was almost derailed when one of the "back-bench" delegates began yelling and name-calling. 

His points, no matter how valid they may have been, were negated by his behaviour!  Order was re-established and the original presenter made her points and comments on the issues.  I was most impressed by her demeanor and that of the rest of her supporters.

One point which interested me considerably was the perception that the volunteer members of the BFD had no insurance coverage if they were injured on a call out.  I am in the process of checking this out.  It seems to me only natural that those who give up their time and energy and risk their safety to be a part of our fire department be suitably covered by some kind of insurance. Stay tuned on this one.  (Dec. 20th follow-up:  Fire Department Insurance and Candy Canes)

Another point was that it was their perception that the Village Council was dragging their feet in drawing up an agreement with the County of Rocky View to share the responsibility of fire protection in this northeast corner of the county, including Beiseker.  I think Mayor Rowe made it very clear that negotiations have been actively going on for many months and will continue until a suitable compromise has been reached. 

Our situation is not the same as Irricana's.  The Irricana Fire Department was always a part of the North East Rocky View Fire Association (NERFA) and simply moved over into Rocky View's new fire protection program.  Beiseker, on the other hand, left NERFA with much bad feelings and anguish more than 20 years ago.  Beiseker is now starting back at square one!  

A negotiated agreement will be arrived at, but it must be in the best interest of the village and the county.  But it will happen!

Fire Department Update

We continue to negotiate with Rocky View County with the purpose of reuniting the Beiseker Fire Department with the Rocky View Fire Services.  There are a few hang-ups which must be addressed before such an agreement is signed.  Your Village Council is holding firm on these key issues;

1. That most if not all of the BFD volunteers will continue to be a part of Station 55's new status.
2. That the BFD serve this entire area (the North East corner of Rocky View County) - rural and urban.
3. That the maintenance and replacement of fire fighting equipment be addressed as it is in other Rocky View stations.
4. That Beiseker continue to maintain the existing fire hall.

Negotiations continue.  I'll keep you posted.

The Fire Department!

As most of you know, Beiseker Village Council is negotiating with Rocky View County to take over fire services within the village.

At one time in our past the Village of Beiseker was part of NERVFA, or the North East Rocky View Fire Association.  The association was formed in the very early 1970s to provide fire protection to the village and the surrounding area which had very minimal fire services up to then.  A number of years after that, in a spat over control, Beiseker withdrew from NERVFA and went on its own.

I contended then and still contend that a small village the size of Beiseker cannot support the equipment to maintain an independent fire department!  Supporting the Beiseker Fire Department (BFD) has cost this village hundreds of thousands of dollars since its breakaway from NERVFA more than 20 years ago!  NERVFA has now become part of the County's fire services and I truly believe that Beiseker must rejoin that service!

I have nothing but admiration for the volunteer firefighters of the BFD who attend weekly practices and "make do" with older, used equipment and do a fantastic job!  But much of that equipment needs replacement and the village cannot afford that cost. 

By becoming part of a larger system again, some of those costs will be spread over a larger base, making equipment replacement, training, and other upgrades more feasible.  In this time of regional programs and projects, I think this is a good way to go.  All negotiations have centered around the fact that the Beiseker Fire Station and most of the personnel will remain.

If this change takes place, will there be glitches?  Yes! But I don't anticipate any problem which a cannot be overcome with level heads and dialogue!

Let me know what you think.  Let the Village Office know what you think about this issue.