Title
2024 Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta FireSmart Grants
Proposed Motion
That administration be directed to submit to the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA) two applications for grant funding totaling $250,000 for the FireSmart program in Parkland County.
Body
Administration Recommendation
Administration supports the proposed motion.
Purpose
Upon Council's approval, two applications to the FRIAA FireSmart program totaling $250,000 to support the development of a wildfire mitigation strategy, wildfire preparedness guides, and sprinkler deployment pre-plans will be submitted.
Summary
Administration will be submitting two applications under FRIAA guidelines for the development and implementation of a county-wide wildfire hazard and risk assessment and wildfire mitigation strategy to reduce risk from wildfire to homeowners and businesses in Parkland County. The grant objectives will support ongoing development and enhancement of Parkland County's FireSmart program and provide recommendations on future actions for targeted wildfire risk reduction across the County. Grant objectives will also support the development of wildfire preparedness guides and sprinkler deployment pre-plans, used to support firefighters working to protect homes and business during an active wildfire response.
Operational coordination of the grant objectives will be managed within the current staffing and budget resources in the 2025 Fire Services area.
Grant funding will be used to select and retain qualified, FRIAA and FireSmart Alberta approved contractors, to develop Parkland County's Wildfire Mitigation Strategy, Wildfire Preparedness Guides, and Sprinkler Deployment Pre-Plans, using established Parkland County Procurement guidelines.
There is in-kind support for this grant within the existing Fire Services resources and 2025 operating budget allocations for fire prevention education.
Historical Information:
Council has previously supported Parkland County's FireSmart program through our 2023 FRIAA Grant Application (RFD 23-118 and 23-213). These new grant applications build on the actions taken through the 2023 FRIAA FireSmart Grant and will allow Fire Services to continue to expand on the successes of the 2023 FRIAA FireSmart Grant.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications:
Grant funding supports wildfire preparedness and risk reduction through the development of a formal wildfire mitigation strategy and operational pre-plans, while also encouraging public participation in preparing for and mitigating the impacts of wildfire events.
Financial Impact:
Cost: Current 2025 Fire Services Operational budget covers in-kind portion of the grant criteria.
Source of Funding: Grant