By Andrea Horton
On March 19, Sparwood Council adopted to amend Fire Services Bylaw 974, 2008 by changing the fees charged for attendance at false alarms within the District.
Under the amended bylaw the property owner is liable for the costs of the municipality’s personnel and equipment in the event of a response by the Fire Department to more than one false alarm at the real property with a calendar year. The rates are established by the Province and the cost of personnel is included in the following.
As set out in Schedule B of Bylaw 974 ‘Charge Out Rates And Cost Recovery’ the charges are as follows:
Equipment hourly rate:
Ladder Truck, $746;
Fire Engine, $537;
Mobile Treatment Center, $180;
Engine Water Tender, $333;
Light Rescue Crew Cab, $240;
Heavy Rescue Truck, $575;
Emergency Response Trailer, $140;
C-1 Command Vehicle, $160.
Cost Recovery Items:
Fire protection file searches, $50;
Inspection requests, $50;
Re-inspection fee, $50;
Non-standard events, Personnel and equipment charges calculated at the rates schedule; Actual costs for any materials, supplies or equipment not referenced, including taxes plus 15 per cent administrative fee;
Securing of property, personnel and equipment charges calculated at the rates schedule set out above, plus actual costs for any materials, supplies or equipment not referenced, including taxes plus 15% administrative fee;
False alarms response, second false alarm within a calendar year, $60
Third false alarm within a calendar year, $120
Fourth and all subsequent false alarms within a calendar year, fee charged bases on Schedule ‘B’.