Melfort raises concerns over new SPSA wildfire deployment compensation model

The report further noted that under current crew requirements, the Melfort Fire Department would only have qualified for deployment if at least one of the department’s five volunteers holding the required medical training was available.

Director of Corporate Services Lydia Steffen said council directed administration to continue discussions with the SPSA and other stakeholders to better understand the implications of the changes and advocate for compensation rates that reflect the actual costs incurred by municipal fire departments.

“The City of Melfort supports assisting and responding to regional emergencies when resources are available,” Steffen told northeastNOW. “However, administration has concerns that the revised compensation structure does not adequately reflect the true costs associated with deploying volunteer fire departments.”

Steffen said the city must balance its commitment to regional emergency response with fiscal responsibility to local taxpayers.

“Any deployment model must ensure that municipalities are not subsidizing emergency responses outside their jurisdiction at the expense of their own residents.”

According to Steffen, the revised framework reduces compensation for certain apparatus, introduces additional requirements and costs, and does not adequately recognize equipment losses or the full operational impacts of deployment.

“The changes also fail to account for the significant commitment made by volunteer firefighters, many of whom balance full-time employment with their responsibilities as emergency responders.”

Steffen said municipalities were advised that compensation changes were being considered, but many fire departments have become increasingly concerned as the financial and operational implications have become clearer.

There are several potential impacts on municipal fire departments, she added, including increased training requirements and costs, additional operational and administrative responsibilities, reduced compensation for older apparatus and challenges recovering the full costs of deployment.

“Collectively, these factors would increase the financial burden on the City and may impact decisions regarding the deployment of personnel and equipment to incidents,” Steffen said.

She said the city will continue working with the SPSA and municipal partners to seek a sustainable solution.

“While the City remains committed to assisting neighbouring communities when resources permit, the current compensation model raises concerns about the long-term financial feasibility of deploying municipal resources under the revised framework,” said Steffen. “The City must ensure that regional emergency response efforts do not create an undue financial burden on local taxpayers.”

Steffen added that council recognizes the importance of helping neighbouring communities during emergencies but believes compensation structures must accurately reflect the costs incurred by municipalities.

The SPSA responded to northeastNOW’s request for comment by email.

The agency said municipal fire departments are sometimes called upon to enhance community protection and remain an important part of Saskatchewan’s wildfire response strategy. As part of a continuous improvement process, the SPSA has developed a new inter-agency agreement for fire departments interested in supporting future wildfire responses.

“Fire departments that meet the minimum National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards can be deployed by the SPSA and will be compensated based on standardized hourly rates,” the agency wrote in its email. “Deployment rates are based on B.C.’s rates, which are the highest rates in Canada. 2025 rates were based on SGI motor vehicle collision responses. These changes are required to ensure the safety of everyone who is deployed by the SPSA and that the SPSA remains fair and fiscally responsible.”

The SPSA said the agreement uses a tiered response model based on the type of equipment required and the municipality’s ability and willingness to provide the service.

—

cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

by Cam Lee

Melfort raises concerns over new SPSA wildfire deployment compensation model

What's Trending