As a follow up to Fire Prevention Week (Oct 5-11), we met with Director of Protective Services Steve Bagley to find out more about how the department as a whole serves Chestermere.
Bagley, who recently celebrated 30 years in the fire services field, began his career in the West Midlands Fire Service in Birmingham, UK. He then worked as a Deputy Chief for Rocky View County Fire Services prior to becoming the Fire Chief and Director of Protective Services in Chestermere.
Director Bagley, can you explain how the department was formed and its components?
Chestermere’s fire service was volunteer-based for many years and then became part of Rocky View County Fire Services in 2008. In 2012, Chestermere Fire Services became an independent local service.
Chestermere had one bylaw/enforcement officer for many years but the program became more formalized and expanded in 2010. We now have four peace officers and a Land Use and Compliance Officer.
In 2012, Chestermere Fire Services (CFS), the Community Peace Officer Program (CPO), the Chestermere Emergency Management Agency (CHEMA), and our work liaising with outside agencies (AHS’s ambulance services and the RCMP) came under the ‘Protective Services Department’ to provide improved efficiency and collaboration between the agencies.
What is the role of the Community Peace Officers (CPOs)?
The CPOs enforce Provincial Statutes and our Municipal Bylaws, monitor commercial trucking weights, perform traffic enforcement in school zones and playground zones, and respond to residents’ concerns (eg. parking violations, noise, and unsightly properties). They also attend local events, participate in school visits with Fire Services, and assist with school crossing patrol training along with the RCMP.
What are some of the current projects for the CPOs?
As Chestermere has a great deal of ongoing development, one of the current areas the CPOs are focusing on is overweight commercial vehicle enforcement. Heavy construction or commercial vehicles can cause extensive damage to our roads (which taxpayers fund) so the CPOs work to ensure these vehicles are in compliance with our regulations. We also have a Land Use and Compliance Officer who is proactively working with developers and contractors to make sure they are aware of our regulations.
What is the role of Chestermere Fire Services (CFS)?
We respond to between 750 and 900 emergency calls each year for Chestermere and the surrounding area. This includes structure fires, motor vehicle collisions, rescues, rural accidents, and medical calls. We also attend fire and carbon monoxide alarm calls.
When not responding to emergency calls, what do firefighters do?
We are primarily involved with fire prevention programs, school visits, property inspections under the Provincial Fire Code (residential and commercial), training, maintaining equipment, and providing expertise at various community events or meetings. We like to keep busy.
The Protective Services Department also looks after Emergency Management. What does CHEMA stand for and what does it do?
CHEMA stands for Chestermere Emergency Management Agency. It’s an agency that coordinates various services in advance of widespread emergencies (i.e. ice storms, major grassfires, tornados, breakdown in public services, pandemics, and epidemics etc). CHEMA is comprised of representatives from Fire Services, Community Services, Public Works, Administration, CUI, and the RCMP who meet regularly to prepare policies and procedures for responding to those types of incidents.
What is the goal of Protective Services?
Our goal is to be proactive, work together, and improve efficiencies so we can offer the best service to the residents of Chestermere.
Whenever we experience a major incident, such as a large structure fire, everyone is aware of their role and responsibility, respectful of other agencies, and determined to handle the emergency as efficiently and safely as possible. So you will see Fire Services working alongside the CPO’s, RCMP, and EMS. We believe that this collaboration and teamwork provides exceptional service to our residents.
For more information on the Protective Services Department, visit www.chestermere.ca/ps.
