County of St. Paul Fire Departments, Emergency Services & Safety
Effective April 22, 2024, the County has issued a Level 4 Fire Ban
No open-air fires are allowed on private land, in campgrounds, or on any other lands within the County.
All fire permits are suspended or cancelled. No new fire permits will be issued (the permit application form has been disabled at this time).
Propane and/or natural gas-powered appliances are allowed.
ATV USE
The County asks ATV owners to act responsibly. At this time, with the County in a Fire Ban, we strongly discourage the recreational use of ATVs and UTVs until conditions improve.
If ATV use is necessary, riders should be prepared/equipped to put out fires that result from sparks originating from their ATV.
The County would also like to encourage any landowners that had burned brush during the winter season to monitor these areas as many of them
have relit due to the windy conditions in the area.
How and When to Contact the St. Paul RCMP Detachment
Seeking On-Call Volunteer Firefighters
Our communities are protected by dedicated teams of volunteer firefighters.
Volunteer Fire Departments are key teams that improve community safety.
The Ashmont and Mallaig Fire Departments are recruiting Firefighters to assist with emergency situations in our communities.
If you are interested in accepting this interesting and important challenge,
see the information below for contacts.
The County of St. Paul is supported by the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority who is proud to offer members of the Deaf, Deafened, Hard of Hearing and Speech Impaired (DHHSI) Community for a new text with 9-1-1 service. This service provides easier access for DHHSI community members to communicate with emergency services.
View the media release for more information.
Wildfire Prevention Tips
When there is snow on the ground, wildfires are probably the last thing on your mind, but you can still reduce the threat of wildfire for the coming winter and spring.
Source: Farm and Acreage - A Guide to Reducing the Risk of From Wildfire
(Alberta Government, FireSmart)
Learn how you can protect your home
and property from wildfires.
Download the FireSmart App
How safe is your home and property from wildfires?
Prune Tree Branches
Trim Branches that are over the roof
Move patio furniture
Clean the gutters
Move materials away from stationary propane tanks
Space evergreen trees
Clear the ground around your home
Mow grass and weeds
Clear fence lines
Sign Up for Emergency Alerts
Please use the following resources to prepare your family in case of an emergency.
When an emergency occurs, family members may not be together and could be at school, home or work.
It’s important to sit down with your family and make your own emergency plan so that each family member knows what to do if an emergency occurs.
The Office of Emergency Management for the Region of St. Paul is now under Fire Services Authority.
Regional Emergency Management Agency [REMA] Facebook Page
How to Build a 72 Hour Emergency Kit
We would encourage to residents to sign up for Alberta Emergency Alert. Community emergency information will be provided through this system.
Fire/Burn Permits
Fire Permits Issued Online
This means that residents no longer need to visit the County Administration Office or the Town of Elk Point Office for a fire permit.
How to Apply
Open the Permit Form
Add Permit Details
With your contact information, you will also need to share the purpose of the burn and the legal land location (part, section, township and range) of the property for the intended burn.
E-Sign and Submit
You will receive an email stating the permit has been received and will be reviewed shortly. Please allow up to 2 business days for review. Approved permits will be sent via email as a PDF attachment and are valid for 14 days from the date of issue.
Please plan ahead. Applications are not reviewed on weekends or statutory holidays.
The County of St. Paul recognizes that within the municipal boundaries of the County, residents and visitors may want to ignite an open-air fire.
The County also recognizes that is necessary to establish guidelines for issuing fire restrictions and fire bans to regulate open-air fires.
The County has established a clear guide under the Fire Systems Activities Policy for levels of fire activity restrictions within its borders.
Here are four important things to know to manage the risk of fires getting out of control.
The County of St. Paul would like to stress that landowners who are issued Fire Permits, must contact the Bonnyville 911 Dispatch Service prior to igniting their fire at 780-826-7446.
All approved fires by Permit are subject to Provincial or local Fire Bans, declared upon the threat of a fire hazard to the citizens or property within the boundaries of the County of St. Paul.
Fires must be attended at all times and should be completely extinguished before they are left unattended. County residents with burn barrels are reminded that they can be a problem in spring conditions and a spark-arresting screen must be in place.
Any brush piles that were ignited over the winter, should be checked to ensure that they are completely extinguished and that there is no danger of a ground fire starting.
Firefighting
Our communities are protected by dedicated teams of volunteer firefighters.
Become a Volunteer Firefighter
Each department has weekly volunteer practice nights that any newcomer interested in volunteering is welcome to join. For more information on contact location and more, please see the regional fire departments listing below.
Regional Fire Departments
For specific information and contact for each regional fire department please see the list below.
2022 Fire Calls include medical assists, motor vehicle collisions, rubbish fires, structure fires, vehicle fires, and more:
Ashmont: 51 calls
Elk Point: 100 calls (as of November 30, 2022)
Mallaig: 31 calls
St. Paul 215 calls
2022 Firefighter of the Year
Fire Service Exemplary Metals
Firefighter Paul Jean (right photo) and Assistant Fire Chief Ben Burton both received the Fire Service Exemplary Medal at the Department’s Annual Awards Presentations on January 20th, 2023. The Fire Services Exemplary Medal recognizes members of the Canadian Fire Services who have served a minimum of 20 years, of which 10 years have been served in the performance of duties involving high risks. It is just not a given that everyone who serves 20 years will receive this recognition. Assisting in the presentations were Mayor Maureen Miller from the Town of St. Paul, Reeve Glen Ockerman from the County of St. Paul,
and Fire Chief Kotowich. Congratulations to both members.
Ashmont Fire Department
Fire Chief:
James Preston
780-210-5161
Deputy Fire Chief:
Wendell Baerg
780-614-5791
Address:
59413 RR 113
Ashmont, AB T0A 0C0
Please join us at our volunteer practice on every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month.
Elk Point Fire Department
Fire Chief:
Bryce Osinchuk
780-724-3648
Deputy Fire Chief:
Anthony Chenard
Assistant Chief:
Joshua Bateman
Address:
5301 Railway Ave.
Elk Point, AB T0A 1A0
Please join us at our weekly volunteer practice night on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm.
St. Paul Fire Department
Fire Chief:
Trevor Kotowich
780-645-4100
Deputy Fire Chief:
Henry Thomson
780-645-4100
Address:
5101 50 St.
St. Paul, AB T0A 3A1
Volunteer practice happens every Friday night.
Mallaig Fire Department
Fire Chief:
Raymond Brousseau
780-614-0772
Deputy Fire Chiefs:
Justin L'Heroux
780-815-1049
Cody Bodnar
780-645-0316
Address:
Mallaig, AB
Please join us at our volunteer practice on every 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month.
Personal Property Insurance and Fire Coverage - Residents, should check their insurance policies regarding fire coverage.
The rates the County charges to residents for Fire Calls are as per the Alberta Transportation Fee Schedule and the County's Bylaw 2021.08 (see below).
It is now Wildfire Season and all indications are that the spring and summer will be dry. Please ensure that your property has proper insurance coverage.
| Type of Fire Call | Fees | |
|---|---|---|
| False Alarm | 1st Response 2nd Response 3rd Response 4th Response and Subsequent Response | No Charge $100 $200 $300 |
| Resets every calendar year | ||
| Fire Call for County Resident | First 2 hours on scene Over 2 hours on scene | No Charge Charged at 50% of Alberta Transportation Rates per hour per piece of equipment. Maximum bill to be $5,000 |
| Fire Call for County Resident Open Burning (no permit) or Burning during a Fire Restriction or Fire Ban | 1 hours minimum ($630) plus any additional time spent changed as per Alberta Transportation Rate Fee Schedule, per piece of equipment on scene. Charged from the time fire equipment leave the hall until equipment is back in service. |
Crime Prevention - RCMP Steps to Follow
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact
If you have an Fire related question we invite you to contact the County of St. Paul using the contact information found on this page.
Contact Information
JASON STORCH, Director, Community Services
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 780-646-6768
Address:
5015 - 49 Avenue
St. Paul, AB T0A 3A4
Monday to Friday Regular Hours:
8:30am - 4:30pm
Closed for lunch from 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Closed on weekends and all Statutory Holidays
Bylaw Enforcement Officer
TAMMY GODDU, Bylaw Enforcement Officer
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 780-201-6777
