Safety in Our Communities
Our communities are protected by dedicated teams of volunteer firefighters, in addition to the St. Paul and Elk Point RCMP detachments.
Effective April 16, 2025, the County is under a Level 2 Fire Advisory.
Safe wood campfires are allowed on private land and in campgrounds.
Issuance of fire permits for any other open-air fire may be restricted.
Existing fire permits will be honoured; however, issuance of new fire permits may be suspended
Emergency Preparedness
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.
Should an emergency occur, family members may not be together and could be at school, home or work.
Please use the following resources to prepare your family in case of an emergency.
Sign Up for Emergency Alerts
We encourage residents to download the Alberta Emergency Alert app. Community emergency information will be provided through this system.
The Office of Emergency Management for the Region of St. Paul is now under Fire Services Authority.
Fire/Burn Permits
County of St. Paul fire permits are issued online. 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.
Help Manage the Risks of Fires
The County of St. Paul recognizes that residents and visitors may want to ignite an open-air fire within County boundaries. As a result, it is necessary to have 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.
Adhere to the following mitigation tactics:
Landowners who are issued Fire Permits must contact the Bonnyville 911 Dispatch Service prior to igniting their fire at 780-826-7446.
All approved fire permits are subject to Provincial or Local Fire Bans, declared upon the threat of a fire within County boundaries.
Fires must be tended to at all times and completely extinguished before left unattended. Residents with burn barrels must have a spark-arresting screen in place.
Any brush piles that were ignited over the winter should be checked to ensure that they are completely extinguished, that there is no danger of relighting or ground fire starting.
During Fire Bans, we strongly discourage ATV/UTV recreational use until conditions improve. If ATV use is necessary, be prepared/equipped to put out fires that result from sparks given off by the ATV.
FireSmart - Wildfire Safety
Wildfire season is from March 1-October 31 each year. In some of those days, when snow is on the ground, wildfires are probably the last thing on your mind. But these are crucial points to help reduce the threat of wildfire for warmer, drier months.
The Province partnered with FireSmart, a framework for prevention and mitigation measures to reduce wildfire threat, to educate residents on how to protect your home and property. Download the FireSmart App and check out the FireSmart resources to prepare and protect your home.
Regional Fire Departments
The Volunteer Fire Departments in our region are key teams that improve community safety.
For specific information and contact for each department, please see the list below.
Ashmont
Fire Chief:
James Preston
780-210-5161
Deputy Fire Chief:
Wendell Baerg
780-614-5791
Address:
59413 RR 113, Ashmont
Volunteer practice every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month.
Elk Point
Fire Chief:
Bryce Osinchuk
780-724-3648
Deputy Fire Chief:
Anthony Chenard
Assistant Chief:
Joshua Bateman
Address:
5301 Railway Ave, Elk Point
Weekly volunteer practice on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm.
Mallaig
Fire Chief:
Raymond Brousseau
780-614-0772
Deputy Fire Chiefs:
Justin L'Heroux
780-815-1049
Cody Bodnar
780-645-0316
Volunteer practice every 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month.
St. Paul
Fire Chief:
Trevor Kotowich
780-645-4100
Deputy Fire Chief:
Henry Thomson
780-645-4100
Address:
5101 50 Street, St. Paul
Volunteer practice happens every Friday night.
Become a Volunteer Firefighter
Our volunteer fire fighters ensure that our communities have a dedicated service. Each department has weekly volunteer practice nights that any newcomer interested in volunteering is welcome to join. Interested? Follow you local department’s socials and use their contact information to get in touch.
Personal Property Insurance and Fire Coverage
The rates the County charges to residents for Fire Calls are as per the Alberta Transportation Fee Schedule and the County's Fee Schedule Bylaw.
Residents should check their insurance policies to ensure their property has proper fire coverage.
Crime Prevention
When to Contact the Proper Authorities
Bylaw Enquiries, Animal Control, Unsightly Properties, Proactive Traffic Safety
Municipal Enforcement
County of St. Paul: 780-645-3301
Town of St. Paul: 780-645-4522
Town of Elk Point: 780-724-3810
Non-urgent police matters, such as dated property crimes or thefts.
RCMP
St. Paul RCMP: 780-645-8888
Elk Point RCMP: 780-724-3964
Serious ongoing criminal matters requiring immediate police presence.
Call 9-1-1
Emergency services are needed.
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 for easier communication with emergency services.
Contact your cell and/or wireless provider to ensure that your phone will support T9-1-1. Register with your provider(s) to enable this service. This service is only available to the DHHSI community and is only to be used in emergency situations.
To use this service, continue to call 9-1-1 with your enabled device. The operator will receive a notification if the caller's device has been registered for T9-1-1. If no answer to the operator's voice is received, the operator will then begin sending text messages to the registered phone.
Online Crime Reporting is now available!
All crimes reported online to the Alberta RCMP will be followed up with a phone call from a police officer within five business days.
You can't use Online Crime Reporting if there is a witness/suspect or there are lost or stolen items involving personal identity, firearms, license plates or decals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact
If you have an fire or emergency services related question, we invite you to use the contact information found on this page.
County Bylaw and Fire Services
WAYNE ELSBETT, Municipal Enforcement & Parks Coordinator
Phone: 780-646-6806
JASON STORCH, Director, Community Services
Phone: 780-646-6768
Address:
5015 49 Avenue
St. Paul, AB T0A 3A4
Regional Emergency Management
TREVOR KOTOWICH, Director, Protective Services | Fire Chief
Phone: 780-645-4100
Address:
5101 50 Street
St. Paul, AB T0A 3A0
