Blackfalds fire department wants to expand the area it covers.
The department made a request to Lacombe County to boost its coverage area by 23 square km, mostly west and east of the town. The area includes 95 homes.
The move is not sitting that well with the Lacombe Fire Department, which would lose some of its coverage area, including about a five-km stretch of Hwy 2, county manager of environmental and protective services Keith Boras told council on Thursday.
“They’re very proud of what they do and they’re very good at it,” Boras said.
The county is particularly concerned that the Blackfalds department is not yet a member of the Lacombe Regional Fire Service, which includes Lacombe County, Alix, Clive, Eckville, Bentley and the Town of Lacombe.
Council voted unanimously to approve Blackfalds expanded fire district on the condition that it joins the regional fire service, which would cost Blackfalds $26,000 this year.
“The regional fire service association has done a lot for Lacombe County and the communities that are members,” said Boras.
By grouping the fire departments together, operating, command procedures and equipment can be standardized.
Blackfalds fire department has 26 volunteers. Last year, it responded to nine calls, including a major grass fire.