City administration at this week's council meeting. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Council chambers

City council approves mutual aid agreement with RM of North Battleford

Jul 18, 2023 | 5:00 PM

The City of North Battleford has agreed to enter into a mutual aid agreement with the Rural Municipality of North Battleford (RM) No. 437.

“I think it protects the city’s interests as well as the RM’s interests,” North Battleford Fire Chief and City Director of Protective Services Lindsay Holm said. “It’s something that has probably been a long time coming, in that we were able to get that done successfully.”

RM of North Battleford Reeve Dan Bartko, North Battleford Mayor David Gillan, RM of North Battleford Fire Chief Aaron McNabb, and Holm sat down together recently and worked out the wording of the agreement.

Holm said the RM of North Battleford already approved the agreement for its part.

The purpose of the agreement is to establish a framework for providing mutual aid and assistance between the city and the Rural Municipality of North Battleford No. 437 in response to emergencies or disasters. The municipalities agree to assist each other according to the terms and conditions of the agreement.

FSIN

Chief Bobby Cameron re-elected for fourth term as FSIN Chief

22h ago

Battleford Municipal Election

Laing seeks fourth term on Battleford Council

23h ago

Softball Sask Hall of Fame

'I just wanted to give back': Local softball legend gets rewarded for her years of dedication

Oct 31, 2024

The parties agree to seek reimbursement for any costs incurred for providing mutual aid assistance. Both agree to reimburse each other for the time from the initial response of the responding unit until each the unit is back in service. The requesting party will reimburse the responding party for all actual costs incurred to provide the assistance, unless otherwise agreed. Reimbursement shall be in accordance with the Schedule of Fees Bylaw for the City and in the Schedule of Fees for the RM. Both parties also agree to notify each other of any rate changes to their Schedule of Fees for personnel and apparatus.

Coun. Kent Lindgren asked if the mutual aid assistance was ongoing.

Holm confirmed the agreement is ongoing unless it’s ever terminated by either party.

“It’s a nice little agreement,” he added. “It’s not over bulky, but it does protect both parties.”

–

Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow