The Town of St. Paul has approved an updated Joint Fire Services Agreement with the County of St. Paul, reaffirming a long-standing partnership that allows the two municipalities to jointly deliver fire protection while providing greater clarity around governance, budgeting and equipment replacement.

Council approved the revised agreement during its June 22 meeting after Fire Chief Trevor Kotowich explained that the changes are largely administrative, putting existing practices into writing and ensuring both municipalities have a clear process moving forward.

Shared funding model continues

The agreement governs how the St. Paul Fire Department provides services throughout both the Town and the County under a shared-service model.

Under the agreement, the County continues to contribute 50 per cent of the department’s annual operating and capital costs. Those contributions help fund firefighter training, communications systems, rescue vehicles, equipment and fire hall operations, while also covering mutual aid responses within the St. Paul Fire District.

The agreement also confirms the makeup of the Joint Fire Services Committee, which includes elected officials and senior administration from both municipalities. The committee reviews the department’s annual operating budget before it is approved by both councils.

In addition, the updated agreement continues to authorize the Town Fire Chief, in consultation with the County’s Director of Community Services, to issue fire advisories, fire restrictions and fire bans when conditions warrant.

Reserve fund rules now in writing

One of the most notable updates formally defines how the Joint-Use Reserve Fund is managed.

“What this is is just seeking clarity on the existing reserve fund that the Town of St. Paul manages,” Kotowich told council.

The reserve is funded primarily through cost recoveries when St. Paul firefighters respond to motor vehicle collisions. Those costs are billed to Alberta Transportation or third-party insurance companies, with the recovered funds placed into a reserve dedicated to replacing major fire and rescue equipment.

“The year-end balance of the reserve fund at the end of 2025 was just over $360,000,” Kotowich said.

Under the revised agreement, the Town will continue administering the reserve fund, but any expenditures must first be approved by both the Town and County councils. Requests must include written justification, project cost estimates, the impact on future reserve balances and a recommendation from the Joint Fire Services Committee.

The agreement also specifies what the reserve can be used for, including replacement fire suppression and rescue equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), rescue and command vehicles, and communications equipment.

Kotowich noted the reserve is already supporting firefighter safety. Earlier this year, approximately $25,000 was used to purchase new bunker gear.

Formalizing an existing process

While the agreement includes several updates, Kotowich emphasized that council is not changing how the reserve has traditionally operated.

“Pretty much everything that has been in writing now was being done previously, but now it’s in print and there should be very clear on how things will go from this point forward,” he said.

Council approved the updated agreement without opposition, continuing a partnership that has allowed the Town and County to share resources, equipment and operating costs while providing fire protection throughout the region.