Move to new BRFA facility first goal of new CAO Sandbeck

The BRFA’s move to the new Station 1 building beside Highway 28 is the top priority for the new Chief Administrative Officer Darren Sandbeck. 

“The board has been very clear about the two priorities they want me to work on immediately, and that is to get moved into our new building, to get that building completed, and move our divisions into it,” Sandback told Lakeland Connect. 

“We want to see that happen before the end of the calendar year start to transition into this building.

“The second priority is to finish off what we call Next Generation 9-1-1. It’s a significant 9-1-1 dispatch upgrade to our communication centre, which will provide better service to all the customers that we have,” he added, which is the ability to send multi-media like pictures, videos, and text to emergency responders as well.  

Sandbeck is new to the role of CAO here in the Lakeland, with his first day on the job on Nov. 4. Coming from Airdrie, he has some 40 years of experience within emergency response. 

But the position is new also. 

Previously, administration and operations work all fell onto the shoulders of the Regional Fire Chief.

With the outgoing Dan Heney, that left Deputy Fire Chief Alicia Krawchuk wearing multiple hats over the summer, but allowed the BRFA board to refocus, in hopes of strengthening the organization. 

The BRFA covers a wide swath of services, with fire protection, 9-1-1 dispatch services, as well as emergency medical services (EMS). 

Delineating the two roles — Sandbeck in administration, and Krawchuk in operations — is meant to streamline the work, and keep everyone on track. 

Particularly as the BRFA finishes this multi-year process of building construction and changes, all before this much anticipated move. 

“The board has made a conscious decision to move the organization and structure the organization with administrative leadership. That’s the role I’ll be taking on,” said Sandbeck. 

“There still will be operational leadership within the organization, within all the divisions we operate. All those division leaders will still be here. My role will become one of supporting the board, working on the administrative side, like contract management, human resources, finance, some of those pieces.”

Sandbeck said the goal is to occupy the new building in phases, with administration (Station 1) moving in first before the end of 2024, off from the original benchmarks.

As the finishing touches are put on the property, the remaining divisions are hoped to settle by the summer of 2025.

The building, formerly the Kopala building, was purchased by the M.D. of Bonnyville in 2020 for $3.2 million. This was transferred to the BRFA in February 2022.

Watch: Darren Sandbeck sits down at new BRFA Station