Some of the more than 25 city firefighters who showed up to City Hall to hear MHFD Chief Brian Stauth's 30-year strategic plan presentation to councillors Monday night. (CHAT News Photo)

By Alex McCuaig

Wants support for residential sprinklers

Fire service lays out 30-year strategic plan to council

Jan 5, 2021 | 10:05 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The city’s fire chief presented a 30-year strategic plan for the service to city council Monday night as a large contingent of local firefighters filled City Hall to capacity.

Medicine Hat Fire Chief Brian Stauth outlined the past successes of the department’s goal of achieving a six-minute and 20-second response time to fires in the city while trying to manage the expensive costs associated with the emergency service.

As the city grows over the next few decades, Stauth says the service will be looking to council to again support the installation of residential fire sprinklers in new subdivisions on the edge of town much like they did with Coulee Ridge.

That subdivision saw an up to half-million-dollar subsidy in 2020 for developers to install those systems as the new neighbourhood would fall outside the designated response time.

“Fire sprinklers don’t replace firefighters but what they do is give our firefighters a chance to get on scene and take control of the situation,” said Stauth.

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The strategic plan doesn’t envision a new fire station until growth in the city’s northwest deems it necessary. Stauth told councillors there may be opportunities to partner with neighbouring municipalities when a new station is needed.