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Regionalized Fire Service Agreement ceremony held

Rimbey fire chief John Weisgerber handed man- agement and operation of the Rimbey Fire Services to Ponoka County.

At a helmet ceremony on Tuesday, May 5 Charlie Cutforth, CAO for Ponoka County, and deputy mayor and firefighter Paul Payson and Rimbey fire chief John Weisgerber handed management and operation of the Rimbey Fire Services to Ponoka County.

The transaction provides a tremendous opportunity for the firefighters who will now be able to train with a larger group, have more specialized training opportunities, full time administrative support and opportunity for advancement. Interim Chief Administrator Donna Tona is pleased with the success of the agreement, the sup- port from the firefighters and the ease in which Rimbey and the County of Ponoka finalized the agreement.

“We are all one region,”Tona said, “and as one region we must be prepared to share services and share economies of scale. We have an excellent relationship with the county and it is always a pleasure to plan and work with CAO Cutforth.” The agreement includes the fifteen-year provision for the county to conclude the purchase of land, building and equipment. During that time, Rimbey will be serviced by the county at no cost.

“Our firefighters are community ambassadors, skilled and professional in all they do and we look for- ward to working with them in our community, having their attendance at our functions, and supporting them as they request. Each and every member is a class act and we are truly blessed for their dedication to our safety,” Tona said.