TAMRMS#: B06
10.2
REQUEST FOR DECISION
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Mutual Aid Fire Services Agreement – Sturgeon County
Presented by: Everett Cooke, Director Emergency Services (Fire Chief), Emergency Services
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
recommendation
That the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to execute a Mutual Aid Agreement on terms and conditions acceptable to the CAO with any municipalities deemed necessary by the CAO for the purpose of accessing fire fighting assistance during an emergency.
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SUMMARY
In effort to ensure timely access to external firefighting resources, including apparatus and personnel, fire services will enter into Mutual Aid Agreements with neighboring municipalities. Agreements for such resources are in addition to Emergency Management Agreements, comparable to the Capital Regional Emergency Preparedness Partnership (CREPP) agreement.
The City of St. Albert and Sturgeon County Fire Services have mutually recognized the need for a formal agreement, acknowledging that Sturgeon County possesses resources desired by the City, and that Sturgeon County recognizes the benefits of an enhanced relationship with our full-time service.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
N/A
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The City of St. Albert Fire Service has relied on assistance from surrounding communities on several occasions. This is inclusive of the Citadel Mews fire and more recently, when the required levels of staff to backfill our own stations during a fire, has not been achieved.
Mutual Aid Agreements provide avenues for obtaining additional resources should a situation dictate. Further, this the new proposed mutual aid agreement between Sturgeon County and St. Albert, it ensures that there are:
• Clear steps for requesting assistance
• Modern indemnification clauses
• Clear command and control protocols
• Updated costs recovery procedures
• A commitment to jointly train together.
Fees associated with this agreement are aligned with Alberta Transportation Rates and are reciprocal, dependent on resources requested and provided, and based on the duration of the event.
Sturgeon County has signaled that this Mutual Aid Agreement was presented to and approved by their Council on June 24, 2025.
In 2022, the City of St. Albert entered into a similar Mutual Aid Agreement for Fire Services with the Town of Morinville.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
N/A
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
This agreement will create no new financial impacts for the City of St. Albert.
Any costs related to requesting mutual aid will continue to be the responsibility of the requestor. The procedure and rates for such services are outlined within the agreement.
Compliance & Legal:
This new Mutual Aid Agreement provides modern indemnification clauses for all parties and avenues for dispute resolution and agreement dissolution. No changes to current insurance practices or polices will be required.
With the backing of the City of St. Albert’s Legal, Legislative, and Records Services Department, this agreement was generated by external legal counsel.
Program or Service:
No additional impacts will be realized upon the signing of this Mutual Assistance Agreement.
Organizational:
No additional impacts will be realized upon the signing of this Mutual Assistance Agreement.
Risks
This Mutual Aid Agreement is intended to reduce the risk for each party when calling for assistance. This is achieved through the language of the agreement and by outlining the procedure for activating and responding to a request for assistance.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
N/A
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
All firefighting services.
IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
No alternatives have been provided.
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Report Date: September 2, 2025
Author(s): Everett Cooke
Department: Emergency Services
Department Director: Everett Cooke
Managing Director: Diane McMordie
Chief Administrative Officer: William Fletcher