County waives fire costs with Frog Lake as show of good faith

The County of St. Paul approved the Fire Protection Agreement signed by Frog Lake First Nation earlier this year.

Under the agreement, the County’s fire department based in Elk Point will provide assistance to Frog Lake First Nation for structural fires, motor vehicle accidents, oil and natural gas field fires, and other extraordinary fires when requested.

Frog Lake will pay the County for labour and equipment according to the rates set by Alberta Transportation.

According to County of St. Paul CAO Sheila Kitz, the nation paid a bill for $2,620 in October following a response by Elk Point Fire Department in January.

“Frog Lake First Nation does have some outstanding amounts for a call from June 8, 2017 for $555 and outstanding penalties in the amount of $758.94 which accumulated on both that June 2017 invoice as well as the January 2020 invoice,” said Kitz.

She said administration recommended writing off the outstanding penalties on the invoices and cancelling the 2017 invoice “as a show of good faith.”

Div. 1 Coun. Darrell Younghans moved to approve the fire agreement, calling it “a big step forward.” The motion carried.

Council chose to cancel the 2017 invoice and waived all penalties.